Ontario Passes Controversial Bill 33 Overhauling School Boards
Ontario’s government has officially passed Bill 33, a move that has sparked protests and intense debate across the province. The legislation, which was fast-tracked through the legislature, allows the Education Minister to sideline elected school board trustees and appoint supervisors in their place—a power that has already been exercised in five school boards. The government frames this as a necessary step to “put school boards back on track,” but opponents are calling it a takeover that undermines local democracy.
The bill’s journey through the legislature was unusual. Debate was truncated, and the committee stage was bypassed, allowing Bill 33 to clear its final hurdle quickly. Under this new law, the minister can now intervene even in financially healthy school boards where governance issues exist. Previously, a far more complex process, involving multi-investigator reports and financial assessments, was required to justify such interventions.
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Bill 33 also gives the minister several new powers. School boards can be directed to publicly post the expenses of trustees, directors of education, and other officials. The minister will have influence over the naming of new schools or changes to existing names. In addition, the legislation mandates that school boards implement a school resource officer program wherever a local police service offers one. Education Minister Paul Calandra described the bill as a positive development for students, parents, and teachers, emphasizing the need for stronger oversight when boards are “off the rails.”
However, the legislation has faced fierce criticism. Opponents, including parents, sidelined trustees, opposition MPPs, and education unions, argue that it represents a significant power grab. A coalition of unions described the reforms as a “hostile takeover” that disempowers families, weakens transparency, and allows politically motivated decisions to override community input. Critics warn that ministry-appointed supervisors may lack educational backgrounds, ties to local communities, or understanding of French-language school missions, equity, and human rights issues.
The public response was immediate. Large protests erupted on the front steps of Queen’s Park, with demonstrators waving union flags and chanting slogans like “this is our house” and “shut it down.” Unlike typical demonstrations, protesters surged forward to the entrance of the legislature, signaling strong opposition to the bill.
Minister Calandra, however, defended the fast-tracked process, stating openly that the ministry needs greater authority to intervene in boards where governance has collapsed. He cited the Near North District School Board as an example, describing it as a “fiasco” with fractured administration and trustees lacking governance experience. He indicated that Bill 33 will allow intervention even in boards that are financially sound but mismanaged, and hinted at future use of the new powers, though no immediate plans were detailed.
Bill 33 has now received Royal Assent and is law, marking a significant shift in the balance of power between Ontario’s provincial government and locally elected school boards. The coming months will reveal how this legislation will reshape governance in the province’s education system.
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