Elected at just 19 years old in 2014, Shawn Xaviour became one of the youngest Catholic school board trustees in all of Ontario. Representing Brampton Wards 7, 8, 9, and 10 for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), Shawn is a proud graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas CSS in Brampton, where he previously served as Student Council Prime Minister. Grounded in a lifelong commitment to student voice and advocacy, he was re-elected and acclaimed in subsequent elections, marking 12 years of dedicated service to our community.
Beyond his local school board work, Shawn proudly advocates for Catholic education at the provincial level as a Director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA).
Faith & Community
Faith has always been the cornerstone of Shawn’s life. A parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church and a past Core Team Member of Lifeteen, he has been actively involved in the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Parish community from a young age. He has served as a National Coordinator for the Syro-Malabar Youth Movement, encouraging young people to live out their faith and stay actively involved in parish leadership.
Community Service & Career
Shawn’s commitment to service extends far beyond the boardroom. Rooted in a lifelong passion for public safety and putting the needs of others before himself, he serves our community as a firefighter. Through this career, he remains dedicated to promoting safety education, community engagement, and supporting local initiatives—including participating in Movember to raise awareness for men's health.
School Board Leadership & Experience
As a experienced trustee, Shawn believes that true leadership requires deep, hands-on involvement across board committees and community groups. Over his 12 years in office, he has held numerous leadership roles, including:
Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA) – Board of Directors
Faith and Program Committee – Past Chair and Vice-Chair
Administrative and Finance Committee – Past Chair and Vice-Chair
DPCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Planning Committee – Member
DPCDSB Contract and Negotiation Committee – Member
DPCDSB Discipline Committee – Member
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – Alternate Chair
Brampton Board of Trade – Member
Central Committee for Catholic School Councils – Trustee Representative
Challenged Material Committee – Trustee Representative
Dufferin-Peel Friends and Advocates for Catholic Education (FACE) – Trustee Representative
Secondary School Scholarships and Awards Committee – Trustee Representative
Peel Safe and Active Routes to School – Trustee Representative
School Year Calendar Committee – Trustee Representative
Brampton COVID-19 Update Press Conference: Trustee Shawn Xaviour represented the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board along with Mayor Patrick Brown and Peel District School Board Trustee Kathy MacDonald.
Fun Fact: This press conference was during the month of November, where Shawn Xaviour was partaking in “Movember” to raise awareness in men’s mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.