I'm Andrew Kohan, but most call me Koko. I live in Winnipeg School Division Ward 2, just off Corydon, with my partner, our young kids, and our giant golden retriever.

My advocacy started in Grade 1, going door-to-door asking neighbours to support public schools. Those neighbours invested in my education, and I've never stopped benefiting from and fighting for public education.

Now an Earl Grey parent, I spend my days raising my kids and serving our community. Together with neighbours, we started the Earl Grey Bike Bus and we work with our neighbours on safe streets advocacy to make sure that it is safe for families like ours to walk, bike, scoot, and roll in our community.

I have also organized community responses like the No Space for Hate rally supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities and fought for fully funded public libraries. Professionally, I have been a community organizer with labour unions and community groups to ensure worker and neighbour voices are at decision-making tables. I'm proud to have the endorsement of the Winnipeg Labour Council in this election.

Our family loves playing in our school playgrounds, riding our bikes, and eating ice cream. Our youngest was almost born at BDI!

I am the Labour Endorsed Candidate for School Trustee in WSD Ward 2.

“Andrew has a genuine commitment to serving. I am confident Andrew will bring a whole community approach to the role of school trustee. He knows schools are at the heart of a neighbourhood and students need to be healthy, safe and “look out for kids!” He understands school trustees have an important responsibility to look beyond the classroom, advocate for safe routes to school, be responsible with land stewardship, safer vehicle speeds and play a role in creating welcoming neighbourhoods where all families can thrive. I am pleased to support his candidacy and believe he would bring a community-focused perspective to the role of trustee."

—Sherri Rollins, City Councillor and former Trustee

"Koko's commitment to "looking out for kids" extends into every aspect of his work in the community. I met him before I became the Bicycle Mayor of Winnipeg, and together we helped grow community engagement and increase awareness of the need for safe routes to school and work for anyone who walks or bikes. There is no one I would trust more to champion the interests of children and families. In my view, Koko has the leadership qualities to be mayor, but our schools will be fortunate to have him as a trustee."

—Patty Wiens, Bicycle Mayor of Winnipeg

"I am a Sexual Health Educator, and Andrew Kohan has my full support for School Trustee in Winnipeg School Division Ward 2. Kids are safer and healthier when they learn about their bodies, boundaries, consent and respect. Andrew promotes quality Sexual Health and Rights education (aka Sex Ed). Two Spirit, Queer, Non-Binary and Transgender students, teachers and families deserve to safe and feel welcomed. Andrew champions affirming literature, curriculum and infrastructure like gender neutral washrooms in all schools. We worked together on the response to anti Queer and Trans ‘Parental Rights’ demonstrations in Winnipeg. Andrew has experience making sure hate has no place in our schools."

—Erica McNabb, Health Educator

"Two years ago, following a tragedy that forever changed my life, I had the opportunity to get to know Koko. During one of the most difficult times in my life, he showed genuine compassion, kindness, and concern. What stands out most is that his commitment goes beyond words. He listens, takes action, and isn't afraid to speak up for what matters. I have witnessed first hand his dedication to making our community safer, stronger, and more caring, while ensuring that the voices of others are heard. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to see the true character of those around us. I will always be grateful for the kindness he has shown and the difference he continues to make."

—Wendy Van Loon, road safety advocate

"Based on my community building relationship with Andrew, I am confident that as school trustee, Andrew will work to make schools a welcoming and safer place for our kids."

—Marty Donkervoort, community economic development advocate

As a parent and community member, it matters to me that our schools are excellent, equitable, and resourced appropriately. My role as trustee would be to ensure that WSD uses our resources and influence to look out for each other.

Look Out for Kids

• Implement full day kindergarten in all WSD schools. One of the best ways to address inequality in school outcomes is to expand Kindergarten. No child should miss out on kindergarten because their family can't manage work and daycare schedules around a mid-day pickup, or because they live on the wrong block.
• Improve and expand school breakfast and lunch programs. All schools need to have robust and welcoming breakfast and lunch programs with accessible, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. 
• Continue making schools welcoming, safe, and affirming communities for children, families, and staff. The diversity of our ward is an asset we want to celebrate and our schools should be places where we all thrive. 
• Address inequality at the roots. We have to work to dismantle barriers to participation that are built into schooling systems through funding mechanisms, discipline patterns, and who gets hired and supported. 
• Support meaningful inclusion. Disabled and neurodiverse students deserve proactive advocacy, accommodation, and resourcing to support full participation in the life of the school community.
• Engage with diverse communities' histories and cultures. It is important that students feel represented and have opportunities to learn from others' experiences.

Look Out for Families

• Use the spaces schools have to facilitate expanded childcare options for families. Let’s make it easier for families to access subsidized childcare spots in Ward 2.  
• Ensure all families can get to school walking, rolling, riding bikes, and scooting safely. I’ll continue working with other levels of government to implement year round 24-7 school zones and traffic calming (like speed bumps and bumpouts) around our schools. Schools are places where kids should be able to gather and play safely every day, all year round.
• Eliminate school fees. Public schooling shouldn’t require families to pay additional fees out of pocket. There are more equitable ways to make sure schools have the resources they need.

Look Out for Teachers and Staff

• Make sure teachers and educational assistants have the support, resources, and class sizes they need to do the work.
• Support teachers in implementing the upcoming provincial antiracism policy and integrating Indigenous perspectives in a good way.
• Invest in maintenance and upgrades to keep our school facilities safe, healthy, and climate resilient.

Look Out for Community

• From Parent Advisory Committees to bike buses to Elders in classrooms, invite community in more! 
• Embrace partnerships with community, particularly newcomer settlement and ethnocultural organizations, to expand facility use for extracurricular and summer programs
• Prioritize relationships so ongoing consultation for things like TRC Calls to Action and provincial antiracism policy are embedded in and accountable to community

WSD Ward 2 includes most of the catchments (but not all, so make sure you check!) for Churchill, Earl Grey, Fort Rouge, Gladstone, La Vérendrye, Lord Roberts, and Riverview.

Election day is October 28th!

Find where you can vote, including advance poll locations and dates.

Support for my campaign to be WSD Trustee for Ward 2 comes from grassroots neighbours in Winnipeg who believe in strong public schools!

If you would like to support my campaign as as a small local donor, please make a pledge

If you would like to help, you can volunteer, request a sign, or share what matters to your family

I want to hear about what you and your family need from our schools!

Send me an email at elect@andrewkohan.com or give me a call at (204) 816-8827