ONTARIO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS' ASSOCIATION
Democracy is not "outdated": OPSBA urges government to reconsider Bill 33

The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA), its members, students, parents, and families across Ontario are deeply concerned by yet another blow to local democracy.

The government's decision to bypass the standard legislative process for Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act, eliminating the customary opportunity for public input through committee hearings at Queen's Park, is both disheartening and anti-democratic.

Removing the consultation denies government partners, including students, families, communities, and school boards, the opportunity to contribute constructive feedback that would help ensure this controversial legislation effectively addresses the issues it seeks to resolve.

Invoking time allocation undermines public trust and conveys that the government's will is being prioritized over openness and accountability. This approach effectively suspends the normal legislative process, removing the stage at which members of the public can share their perspectives through committee hearings.

"We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to working collaboratively with the government," said Kathleen Woodcock, OPSBA President. "The best public policy solutions are achieved through consultation and collaboration with stakeholders - those who know and work in the system - and experts, rather than in isolation at Queen's Park."

The broad authority this legislation would provide a Minister of Education is troubling. Bill 33 would significantly expand ministerial oversight, further centralize decision-making and shift control over school boards away from the communities they serve. It would effectively lessen the democratically elected role of public school board trustees across the province.

Trustees are representatives who know their local school communities best and are duly elected members of the governing board. Further, Bill 33 would displace appointed First Nations trustees and student trustees under supervision - both of whom have a statutory role on school boards.

The fact that the government has decided to push this bill through without committee hearings is disappointing but not surprising, as many other groups and individuals have also spoken out with concerns regarding Bill 33, including: the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Ontario Autism Coalition, the Ontario Student Trustees Association (OSTA-AECO), the Canadian School Boards Association, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association, the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, the College Student Alliance, multiple undergraduate student associations, the Council of Ontario Universities, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, the Ontario Teachers' Federation, the Ontario Federation of Labour, local labour councils, numerous Members of Provincial Parliament, and many op-ed writers and public education experts. Despite this, the government is ignoring concerns from all of these groups.

Our Association has previously commented on Bill 33 and its associated regulations:

• OPSBA submission on proposed regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 521/01 Collection of Personal Information - September 24, 2025
• Black Trustees' Caucus concerns regarding Bill 33 - September 5, 2025
• OPSBA submission on School Day Operations and celebrating Ontario Day regulations - July 15, 2025
• Initial OPSBA Submission re: Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act Regulatory Posting - June 30, 2025

In the absence of an opportunity to present publicly or provide input on Bill 33 through the usual process, OPSBA is now sharing our full submission publicly.

"We know democracy is not outdated,'" President Woodcock said. "It's how we make sure every community has a say in shaping the schools that shape our kids. Elected trustees mean open meetings, transparent budgets and accountability you can see. Eliminating them silences the only direct, elected voice families have in public education. Once that's gone - it's gone for good."