We need investment in public education, expanded resources for students with special education needs, mental‑health supports, and strengthened equity and inclusion across the system. “Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025” was fast‑tracked without public hearings or a committee stage, allowing the government to bypass the usual period for amendments, expert testimony, and community input. Bill 33 does nothing to fix real issues caused by provincial underfunding.
The provincial government is considering eliminating elected English public school trustees in Ontario. Premier Doug Ford has said the government is still “discussing” whether to abolish these roles, while Education Minister Paul Calandra has stated that French‑language and Catholic trustees would remain because they are constitutionally protected. English public trustees, he noted, have “no constitutional cover.” The Education Minister has already placed eight boards under supervision - including in Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa‑Carleton. Despite the provincial takeover of school boards, board finances haven’t improved. Evidence points to a systemic cause: an outdated funding formula that underfunds large boards and makes deficits inevitable, not a failure of local governance.
Ontario's public education system depends on families, educators, students, and communities working together. Trustees are a key part of that partnership. Removing democratically elected trustees and replacing them with a political appointee, silences communities. There is widespread support for the role of trustees and scepticism that the proposed governance changes will improve public education. According to one poll, “Support for elected trustees climbs to 59 per cent among parents with school-aged children” and according to another poll Ontarians “believe the proposed changes would either make no difference for students or actively make things worse.”
The fight to save Heydon Park Secondary School continues. On 25 February 2026, I sent a joint letter to TDSB Supervisor (Rohit Gupta) co-signed by Councillor Dianne Saxe, and MPP Jessica Bell.
CALL TO ACTION: Attend a Rally
Major student‑led actions are planned this week in response to the government’s newly announced cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Changes, set to take effect next school year, will reduce the maximum grant funding available to students. On March 23, 2026 at 11:30am, as the legislature returns, the Ontario Autism Coalition will lead a protest at Queen’s Park warning that Ontario’s public education system is “stretched beyond its limits”.
CALL TO ACTION: Sign the OPSBA Petition
The Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) launched the “Democracy is not outdated” campaign.
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
- Repeal Bill 33
Thank you for supporting our schools and neighbourhoods. Join us as we work together to build a more caring, inclusive, and hopeful future.
Sincerely,
Deborah Williams
elected Trustee, TDSB Ward 10 University-Rosedale and Toronto Centre
(*June 27, 2025 TDSB under supervision of the Ministry of Education)
During the TDSB supervision period, Deborah Williams can be reached at [email protected]
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