Ontario Passes Legislation Granting Education Minister More Authority Over School Boards

PC MPP Paul Calandra speaks during question period at Queen's Park in Toronto on May 13, 2025. The Canadian Press/Cole Burston

Ontario has passed a bill that allows the education minister to intervene when there are concerns over school boards’ activities.

Bill 33, the “Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025,” passed in Ontario’s legislature on Nov. 19. It permits the minister to direct an investigation into a school board, or to put a board under supervision.

Education Minister Paul Calandra introduced the bill in May.

“I’m not willing to wait until a school board collapses before action is taken,” he said in a social media post on Nov. 19. “This approach has failed our system for over 50 years. Parents, teachers and students deserve better.”

Calandra said it was time to “reinvigorate” the school system with the passing of Bill 33.

“What that will allow us to do is put school boards back on track when they go off the rails,” he said in a video posted to social media.

The bill grants the minister the authority to direct an investigation of a school board, issue directions to a board on matters of public interest, and establish policies and guidelines for boards expense policies; allows police to participate in school programs and as resource officers; and requires school boards to seek the minister’s permission if they want to make a change to a school name.

Protests erupted outside the provincial legislature as the bill passed, with education unions saying it amounts to a “hostile takeover” of school boards.

Ontario NDP MLA and education critic Chandra Pasma said the bill is undemocratic.

“Today is a shameful day for the Ford govt who passed Bill 33 despite public opposition and how much it hurts students, parents, and educators,” Pasma said on social media.

5 School Boards Under Supervision

Calandra previously placed five school boards under supervision, including Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and Toronto District School Board.

The school boards were put under supervision in June following investigations that the province alleged showed “ongoing cases of mismanagement.”

He said those school boards failed in their responsibilities to parents and students, adding they had “multiple opportunities” to address “structural financial issues” but failed to do so.

He said that parents and educators expected a school system where spending decisions put students first.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board has said it “remains committed” to working in partnership with the ministry. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board referred media inquiries to the government. The Toronto Catholic District School Board said in an online post that, “The powers of Trustees are now vested in the Minister of Education, who has appointed a supervisor,” while the Thames Valley District School Board didn’t respond to a previous request for comment.

School Board Support Offices

The province has also said every school board in Ontario will be required to have plans in place for a “Student and Family Support Office” in 2026.

The government said the offices would be an extra place where families can raise concerns if they feel the school is not responding appropriately to “community concerns” or “contentious or complex issues.”

“Student and Family Support Offices will review concerns raised by families to help resolve matters that need to be escalated following initial engagement with a child’s teacher and principal,” said a government news release, adding the offices will aim to provide a response within five business days.

The first support offices will be opened in January 2026 at the five school boards that the province had previously put under its supervision.