The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, has accepted the dissolution of Ontario’s 42nd Parliament. Her proclamation wiped the order paper clean, cancelling a number of private members’ bills, as well as the government’s budget Bill 126, Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022. The Lieutenant Governor then issued the election’s 124 writs — one for each riding — which were then signed by chief electoral officer Greg Essensa.
This phase of the election process is known as the Writ Period. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is dissolved, but Ministers remain as Ministers. MPPs stop serving as Members of Legislative Assembly but their constituency offices remain open. All policy and communications are suspended with the government only addressing routine or urgent matters. This is also referred to as being in “caretaking” mode.
There are currently two debates scheduled at which all four main party leaders have confirmed their attendance. The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association in North Bay will host the first debate on May 10, 2022. TVO host the second debate on May 16, 2022.
Elections Ontario Information
There are 23 political parties registered for the upcoming provincial elections. Many are still filling some candidate vacancies with the nomination deadline being May 12, 2022, at 2 p.m. The Elections Ontario website provides details on:
- Candidate Information
- Advance Voting Options
- Voting ID Requirements
- Accessible Voting
- New Elections Ontario App
Student Vote uses the election as a teachable moment and enables teachers to bring democracy alive in the classroom. This hands-on learning program empowers students to learn about democracy, levels of government, political views and political parties, and the election process. Students experience the voting process firsthand and cast ballots for the official candidates running in the election. The Student Vote program is flexible and adaptable to any grade or course. It provides free learning materials such as lesson plans (in print and digital formats), videos, slides, and interactive tools. This year, more activities are included to reach learners in Academic-only or de-streamed classes, as well as new lessons focusing on themes of perspective and pluralism. Student Vote has also partnered with Elections Ontario to support educators in organizing activities for 16 and 17-year-old students for the Ontario Register of Future Voters list!
- If you missed the virtual Democracy Bootcamp professional development event for educators on March 18, please view the recordings
- Registration for Student Vote Ontario 2022 is now open at: https://studentvote.ca/registration/
OPSBA Provincial Election Advocacy and Actions
As a non-partisan association, OPSBA advocates for and represents the voice of our public school boards on the diverse range of issues that affect students and communities, regardless of which political party forms government. During provincial elections, OPSBA participates in non-partisan advocacy efforts to ensure education remains top of mind among the provincial parties and the electorate. The Association encourages parents, students, seniors and other members of the public to learn about the issues impacting Ontario’s public schools, before voting day on June 2, 2022.
OPSBA has reached out to the four main parties – the Progressive Conservatives, New Democrats, Liberals, and Greens – elected to the Ontario Legislature with a questionnaire on six key education issues this election. Answers will be posted on our website as they come in.
Education Day 2022 – May 18
OPSBA has declared May 18 as Education Day in Ontario. On that day and other dates during the week of May 16 to 20, local candidates from major provincial parties will be invited to local schools and to virtual and in-person all candidates meetings to share their views and answer questions on the issues affecting public education. Education Day is coordinated by local public school trustees and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association. For those organizing all candidates meetings, our website has valuable resources, including the following:
- Guide to Hosting a Provincial All-Candidates Meeting
- Education Day Poster
- Template Invite Letter to Candidates
- Template Letter to Parents, Guardians and the Community
- Party Education Platforms vs. OPSBA Priorities (This will be updated throughout the campaign)
Video Contest
In an effort to showcase the diversity of voices in public schools across the province, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and Ontario Student Trustee Association’s (OSTA-AECO) Public Board Council is asking participants to submit a short clip (three to five seconds) holding a small sign with the phrase/image: “I ❤️ Public Education!” Participants can write this in their “first language” (which may or may not be English) or any non-English language typically spoken at home. The submissions will be used to create a two to three minute video showing the full range of diversity of ages, faces, voices, and places that make up our provincial public schools, and their collective love of learning and the shared values of public education. More information is available on our website.
Trustee Nominations Now Open!
Nominations are now open for school board trustee candidates. Be sure to contact your local municipal clerk for the full nomination details and process. All candidates are encouraged to submit their profiles (name, school board and ward) to TrusteeCandidateInfo@oesc-cseo.org. Candidates can also include a photo, a brief biography, social media handles, email addresses and website URLs with their profile. The information will be included in the revised and updated school board elections website.
OPSBA’s 2022 AGM and Program Re-Connecting and Making a Difference
OPSBA looks forward to welcoming members back in person at the 2022 AGM and Program. Book your hotel soon! The hotel cut-off date is May 9, 2022. Book your stay by phone: 1-888-236-2427 – Quote “OPSBA Meeting June 2022” or online: Book Your Group Rate | Marriott International
Join us to determine priorities and directions for the coming year, elect officers and plan for the future.
For more information and to register, visit: Summary – 2022 AGM and Program (cvent.com)
Don’t forget: the nomination deadline for Table Officer and Regional Chair positions is May 10, 2022 @ 4:30 p.m. The chart of current nominations can be found here: AGM_ElectionNominationsChart.pdf (opsba.org)