Ontario government passes controversial education bill. Here are some of the highlights

CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman speaks to protesters who say that the bill removes power and accountability from school board trustees.

Bill 33, the Ford government’s controversial education omnibus bill, has passed third reading and is set to receive royal assent this week.

The bill, formally known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, has sparked protests from many critics, who argue it will centralize power over school boards under the education minister and make the system less democratic and responsive.

The government has argued the bill is a way to make sure school boards stick to their mandates instead of veering off course.

Here’s a rundown of some of the changes the bill will bring into effect.

Minister can issue orders and initiate board investigations more easily

Currently, the Education Act stipulates there may be an investigation into a school board’s affairs in specific situations. However, Bill 33 broadens that power so the minister of education can order an investigation if he has concerns about “a matter of public interest.” That includes whether school boards, board members and directors of education are carrying out their duties under the act “in an appropriate manner.”

The minister can also hand a board directions if he believes that a board, board member or director of education has taken actions or is likely to take actions that could affect a matter of public interest.

The minister can also take control of a board if it fails to comply with his directions.

School finances

Bill 33 gives the education minister the power to establish policies and guidelines around school board expense policies. It also requires school boards to post key individuals’ expenses on their public-facing websites.

Police in schools

Aside from new laws around board policies and finances, Bill 33 adds a requirement for school boards to work with local police services, providing them with access to school premises and permitting them to participate in school programs and implement school resource officer programs.

School resource officer programs have sparked controversy at some boards in the past, with opponents arguing that some students from communities with poor relations with police do not feel safe having officers in schools. A coalition of groups has held regular protests outside Queen’s Park to decry the move. Proponents argue the programs foster better relations between police and the communities they serve.

School names

The bill adds a new section to the Education Act requiring boards to obtain approval from the minister of education for the names of new schools, or if they wish to change the name of an existing school.

College changes

Colleges of applied arts and technology and publicly-assisted universities will be required to assess applicants based on merit and to publish the criteria and process to be used for assessment into programs of study.

The provincial cabinet will have the power to regulate fees that colleges of applied arts and technology or publicly-assisted universities may charge to students or require students to pay.

Children’s aid societies

Bill 33 makes a number of changes to the Child, Youth And Family Services Act, particularly around children’s aid societies that the government says is aimed at making them more accountable when it comes to oversight, board governance and transparency.