On May 29, Ontario will introduce the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, that, if passed, would strengthen government oversight, accountability and transparency in public school boards, postsecondary education and children's aid societies. The changes would also increase the safety, well-being and academic and personal achievement of children and youth.
To further address several cases of financial mismanagement by school boards, the proposed enhanced measures would increase government's oversight of school board finances, governance and program performance, including giving the Minister of Education the ability to respond quickly to matters of public interest.
"Parents deserve confidence that school boards are making decisions in the best interests of their children's education," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "That's why we are strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario's education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers. These new measures would build on our previous actions to improve governance, enforce compliance and focus school boards on what matters most: student success. We are making it clear that school boards must put students first not politics, not bureaucracy and that we will act decisively when they fall short of that responsibility."
Other key accountability and oversight measures being proposed include:
- Setting out requirements for board expense policies and requiring school boards to post key individuals' expenses on their public-facing website
- Increasing the accountability of children's aid societies by taking measures to strengthen financial oversight, board governance and transparency
- Improving fee transparency for postsecondary students
- Requiring all publicly assisted colleges and universities to have clearly outlined, merit-based admissions policies
Additional proposed changes would promote student success and enhance student, child and youth safety by:
- Incentivizing student volunteerism by introducing a new Minister's Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement for students who earn 50 or more community involvement hours
- Requiring school boards to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs where they are offered by local police services starting in the next school year
- Expanding the Ombudsman's investigative authority to include 18- to 22-year-olds who are eligible for, or are in the Ready, Set, Go program and requiring children's aid societies to notify these youth about the Ombudsman's services regularly
- Consulting on requiring children's aid societies and out-of-home care licensees to physically post age-appropriate information about children and youth rights and internal complaints processes in areas of a residence that are accessible to them
The measures contained in this legislation would build on the government's ongoing work to ensure students, children and youth interact with accountable and transparent public systems and benefit from the supports they need to reach ultimate achievement academically and personally.
Quick Facts
- In 2025-26, Ontario is investing $30.3 billion in Core Education Funding to focus key resources where they matter most: on student success.
- In 2024, Ontario introduced the Supporting Children's Futures Act, 2024, to improve the safety, well-being and privacy of children and youth receiving services under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, by modernizing and standardizing important safeguards throughout the child and youth services sector.
- This legislation builds on the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, and associated directives which required postsecondary institutions to publish educational costs (such as textbooks and other learning materials) and establish anti-hate and mental health policies.
Quotes
"The changes we are proposing would strengthen oversight and accountability for children's aid societies. This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children and youth who are involved with the child welfare system. It is another important step towards ensuring all children and youth in Ontario are aware of their rights, and receive the care, support, and protection they deserve."
- Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
"When students choose Ontario's world-class colleges and universities to pursue their postsecondary education, they deserve to know where their fees are going, what criteria they need for admission, and how their research will be protected. Through the Supporting Children and Students Act, our government would be ensuring that colleges and universities are taking responsible measures to protect our students as they prepare for successful careers that will strengthen Ontario's economy for decades to come."
- Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
"Ensuring the safety and well-being of students across Ontario is a top priority. By requiring school boards to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs where offered by local police services, we would be taking a significant step toward protecting Ontario schools and students. This initiative would foster stronger relationships between students, educators and law enforcement, creating secure learning environments and promoting trust between communities."
- Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General
"The School Resource Officer (SRO) program plays a crucial role in fostering trust, safety and mentorship within our schools. Having experienced the positive influence of an SRO in my own life, I understand how impactful these programs can be for young people. My SRO inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement, and later, I had the honour of serving as an SRO myself. The Ontario government's decision to support and mandate SRO programs where local police services offer them is a significant step towards building stronger, safer communities. The Police Association of Ontario fully endorses this initiative and looks forward to witnessing its positive effects in schools across the province."
- Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario
Additional Resources
- Ontario Strengthening Governance, Accountability and Transparency in School Boards, Postsecondary Institutions and Children's Aid Societies
- Ontario Appoints Supervisor for the Thames Valley District School Board
- Ontario Increasing School Board Accountability to Protect Students, Families and Taxpayer Funds
- Ontario Taking Action to Protect Students, Families and Taxpayer Funds
- Creating safe and accepting schools
- Improving the child welfare system
- Indigenous control over child and family services
- Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
- Ready, Set, Go program
- Ontario Investing Nearly $1.3 Billion to Stabilize Colleges and Universities
