Bill 33: A Power Grab, Silencing Communities, Dismantling Democracy
On November 20, 2025 “Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025” was fast tracked to receive royal assent without going to public committee hearings. It dramatically expands provincial control over school boards, policing in schools, and postsecondary admissions and fees. It bypasses cabinet and centralizes power in one minister’s hands while ignoring regional realities. It strips local school boards of community representation, allows the Education Minister to appoint a supervisor without any investigation, and mandates police in schools regardless of community input. The Ontario Autism Coalition warns that Bill 33 erodes families’ ability to advocate for children with special needs. Trustees across Simcoe County call it “alienating,” and a “slippery slope.” Graduate students fear defunding of essential services and loss of research autonomy. Community groups like Policing-Free Schools rallied to say: enough is enough - fund our schools - fund our communities not policing in schools.
Ontario’s schools are underfunded while partisan political insiders ride the gravy train. Education Quality and Accountability Office(EQAO) test results usually released in September or early October, provide a snapshot of students’ progress in reading, writing and math - and are meant to evaluate the effectiveness of Ontario’s education system. In 2019, a once a modest part-time EQAO chair role of $5,000 ballooned into a $140,000 full-time salary with perks for a former Conservative candidate. On December 3, 2025, after months of withholding EQAO results, Education Minister Calandra announced a two-person advisory body will be appointed in early 2026. Instead of investing in classrooms, the government fuels its gravy train. Before paying $1,500 a day to partisan “experts” with little or no education experience to “examine EQAO testing and student outcomes”, the Education Minister should consult with key education stakeholders, consider all factors that impact standardized testing and commit to funding the real needs of all students.
Education Funding Realities
Chronic underfunding created a crisis in public education but the Education Minister continues to scapegoat trustees. Research by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) shows that since 2018, Ontario schools have faced a $6.35 billion shortfall because funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation and enrolment. This underfunding means larger classes, fewer supports, and a growing backlog of repairs. The government inflates its education budget by including child care dollars, masking the gap. The evidence is clear: smaller classes and caring adults including qualified teachers, EAs, CYWs, DECEs - and vital supports like psychologists, social workers, and speech‑language pathologists are the most effective ways to improve safety, mental health, and student success.
CALL TO ACTION
Call and Email Premier Doug Ford at 416-325-1941, [email protected] & Education Minister Paul Calandra at 416-325-2600, [email protected] to DEMAND they:
- Fund Our Schools!
Fund education to match inflation
Fully fund special education and student supports
Fully fund statutory benefits (CPP, EI)
Repeal Bill 33
Copy your local MPP and school board trustee.
I believe that strong public education builds strong communities. It’s more than academics. Investing in public education builds a caring, civil society by helping every student reach their full potential, develop skills and knowledge, to grow into compassionate citizens who contribute to their communities.
Sincerely,
Deborah Williams
Join me on Saturday, February 7, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM