The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA), the school bus consortium responsible for managing bus transportation for Ottawa's English-language schools, has announced the appointment of a new general manager and chief administrative officer. Jennifer Borrel-Benoit, a former principal of Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School in Barrhaven, will assume the role on May 11.
Extensive Experience in Education Administration
Borrel-Benoit brings over 25 years of experience in education and district-level administration with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), according to an OSTA statement. During her tenure as vice-principal in Learning Support Services for the OCDSB, she directly managed specialized transportation, oversaw the Autism Spectrum Disorder grant budget, and contributed to the district's Transportation and Accessibility Working Group.
"Jennifer brings a wealth of strategic leadership and operational expertise to this role," the OSTA statement said. "Jennifer is intimately familiar with the logistical, operational, and budgetary demands of delivering essential student services across a large district. Over the past two decades, she has collaborated closely with organizations such as OSTA and OC Transpo to ensure student safety and success."
Background and Qualifications
Borrel-Benoit's career includes significant experience in both school leadership and central office administration. Her work with the OCDSB has given her deep insight into the complexities of student transportation, including coordination with external agencies. This background positions her well to address the challenges facing OSTA, which has experienced significant turnover in recent years.
Recent Challenges and Leadership Changes
OSTA came under intense scrutiny in the fall of 2023 after 7,500 students at two school boards were left without bus transportation, causing major disruptions for families just days before the start of the school year. The primary issue was recruiting and retaining bus drivers. Then-Education Minister Stephen Lecce noted that Ottawa accounted for over 70% of all school bus cancellations in the province.
The past three years have seen rapid turnover in OSTA leadership. In December 2023, Vicky Kyriaco departed as general manager after 12 years, with Cindy Owens, a former Catholic board principal and superintendent, appointed interim operations manager. Joel Lemieux, a former OC Transpo transit operations control centre manager, became general manager in April 2024 but left in August 2024, leading Owens to serve as interim general manager again. Stacey Kay was named general manager and CAO in December 2024 but departed in November 2025 after being appointed director of education for the OCDSB. Owens once again stepped in as interim general manager.
Financial and Operational Issues
An independent review by Deloitte LLP, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, identified a $7-million funding gap projected for the 2024-25 school year. This gap represents the difference between OSTA's $82.1-million budget and the $75.1 million it received from the province for school bus transportation. Addressing this shortfall will be a key priority for Borrel-Benoit as she takes on her new role.
Borrel-Benoit's appointment comes at a critical time for OSTA, as the organization works to stabilize its operations, rebuild trust with families, and ensure reliable transportation for thousands of students across the region.
