The Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) is warning that Bill 33 would give Ontario's Ministry of Education sweeping powers to take control of local school boards silencing communities and eroding families' ability to advocate for students with special education needs.
If enacted, Bill 33 would allow the Minister to assume "supervision" of boards, for any reason, with no investigation, thereby sidelining elected trustees and centralizing decisions about budgets, programs, and supports. The OAC says that for families already fighting chronic underfunding and gaps in inclusion, losing local accountability would be devastating.
"Bill 33 sets a dangerous precedent," said Kate Dudley Logue, VP with the OAC. "It tells families that their voices don't matter and concentrates power in the hands of the Minister, and that they have no input into the legislative process for the bill, since the government will not hold public hearings.
The OAC points to the Ministry's recent directive from Minister Paul Calandra banning the livestreaming of Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meetings in boards under supervision as proof of what happens when control is centralized. These public meetings are vital for transparency and collaboration. The ban cuts families off from decisions and discussions that affect their children. In-person attendance isn't a reasonable alternative because it's often impossible for parents with children with special needs at home to go out for an evening without considerable planning and expense. Requiring someone to devote an entire evening to hear the one agenda item that concerns them, rather than a few minutes on a livestream is not a choice at all.
