Part of what makes up the Canadian identity, is that everyone comes from families who came to this country to rebuild, buck traditions and start fresh. We all come from people, or are people, who have given their all to build up their communities to make a better life for their families.One such Canadian is Erica Shiner, a nominee in the upcoming School Board Trustee by-election. Shiner is the granddaughter of former North York Alderman and deputy mayor, Esther Shiner. Esther Shiner was often known for her passionate work on the GTA transportation system and now has a boulevard and a stadium named in her memory.When Erica Shiner’s great grandparents first came to Canada around the turn of the 20^th century, they settled with many other Ashkenazi Jews, around Kensington Market. It was not until around the 1950s that her grandparents, Esther and Sol Shiner, moved up to North York and began establishing their family in our community. Shiner describes her grandparents as being active and concerned neighbors who worked hard to become “pillars of the community”.When speaking of her grandmother, Shiner states, “I'm so proud of everything my grandmother accomplished, especially as there were so few women in politics when she first threw her hat in the ring in the 1970s… I'm really inspired by her. She was so warm and so tough at the same time, and I'm often told that I've inherited her chutzpah”Esther Shiner’s example and passion seems to have been passed down through the generations, with her son (and Erica’s uncle) becoming a city councillor for ward 24 as well. While Shiner has inherited a civic passion and a compassionate personality type from her relatives, she has different plans for how to bring that into the community, by focusing in on the school board to start her political career. When asked about her future plans for the community, Shiner explains her desire to encourage the development of community hubs.Shiner explains, “Connecting children, as well as families, to their neighbourhoods by developing community hubs is a wonderful way to increase community engagement. Creating spaces where we get to know our neighbours and connect educational and recreational resources is a great way to develop our communities to serve the needs of children, seniors, families, and everyone in between.”The Shiner family is an excellent example of what it means to be Canadian, by working to create a better future for our children. Shiner is working hard to carry on that tradition by trying to contribute to our education system here in Downsview.And who knows, the passion and excitement passed down through her Grandmother may yet make it to another generation of Shiners with Erica’s son. When asked about his future Shiner says, “He’s just shy of 5, so it’s a little early to predict his life path” but “My son is the friendliest person I know, so.. It would be no surprise if he carries on the tradition”For more information on Erica Shiner’s campaign, please visit www.ericashiner.com