OPSBA’s Work Teams and Ad Hoc Committees develop policy positions as well as responses to government legislation and regulations. These positions and responses are vetted and refined by Executive Council and the Board of Directors prior to being accepted as Association policy. This is a process that ensures effective, comprehensive and sensitive responses to major government announcements and significant education issues.
A major strength of the Association is the lobbying capacity OPSBA has built over a number of years, establishing successful and mutually respectful relationships with individuals and organizations at the core of the major issues affecting education in Ontario. We concentrate on implementing strategies that support a strong unified public education system and that promote the confidence of parents and the taxpayers of the province in the effectiveness of our public schools.
Our advocacy work is described in detail in our Annual Report.
Our four key priorities are:
- Student Success, Equity, and Well-Being
- Local School Board Governance
- Truth and Reconciliation
- Effective Relationships and Sustainable Resourcing
OPSBA’s Strategic Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring policy outlines the Association’s strategic planning process.
OPSBA Advocacy Days at Queen’s Park
Recent OPSBA Submissions and Letters
2024
October 2, 2024 – OPSBA response to the Ministry of Education’s Life Skills Consultation
September 23, 2024 – OPSBA letter to Minister Michael Parsa regarding the National School Food Program
September 18, 2024 – OPSBA submission to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development regarding the Experienced Apprenticeship Pathway Consultation Paper
August 26, 2024 – OPSBA letter regarding the proposed modernization of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
June 7, 2024 – OPSBA submission regarding the regulatory posting for Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024
June 6, 2024 – OPSBA letter to the Ministry of Education regarding information gathering on kindergarten
May 2, 2024 – OPSBA submission regarding Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 and proposed amendments to the Planning Act
April 29, 2024 – Black Trustees’ Caucus Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce re: items for action related to Black student well-being and success
April 2, 2024 – OPSBA Submission regarding three regulatory postings (Integrity Commissioner / Code of Conduct, Trustee Sanctions, In-person Attendance Requirements)
January 19, 2024 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Chrystia Freeland regarding the 2024 Federal Budget and a National School Food Program
January 11, 2024 – OPSBA Submission to the 2024 Ontario Pre-Budget Consultations
2023
December 14, 2023 – OPSBA Letter to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Regarding Private Members’ Bill C-322
November 17, 2023 – OPSBA Submission regarding the Accelerated Apprenticeship Pathway Proposal Consultation
November 9, 2023 – OPSBA Submission regarding 2024-25 Education Funding and the Grants for Student Needs
November 2, 2023 – OPSBA Submission to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for postings for Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023: Director of Education Performance Appraisal
October 19, 2023 – OPSBA Submission to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for postings for Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023: Disposition of Surplus Property and Schools on a Shared Site
September 29, 2023 – OPSBA Black Trustees’ Caucus Submission to the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Consultation on Anti-Black Racism in Education
August 24, 2023 – OPSBA Letter to the Honourable Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
August 21, 2023 – Indigenous Trustees’ Council Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce
July 11, 2023 – OPSBA letter to the Education Equity Secretariat regarding OPSBA Professional Development
July 6, 2023 – OPSBA submission regarding Bill 98 regulations
June 9, 2023 – OPSBA Indigenous Trustees’ Council (ITC) Submission on 2023-2024 Indigenous Education Priorities
May 26, 2023 – OPSBA letter regarding in-person school board meetings
May 9, 2023 – OPSBA submission regarding Bill 98, The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act
April 19, 2023 – OPSBA submission to Ontario’s Fourth Improvement Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
March 9, 2023 – Indigenous Trustees’ Council Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce regarding language revitalization
February 24, 2023 – OPSBA Letter to the federal government regarding a National School Food Policy
February 24, 2023 – OPSBA Letter to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario regarding a Digital Privacy Pledge
February 3, 2023 – OPSBA Submission to the 2023 Pre-Budget Consultation
2022
December 1, 2022 – OPSBA Submission regarding Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act
November 25, 2022 – OPSBA Submission regarding Bill 36, Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 and the Fall Economic Statement
November 23, 2022 – OPSBA Submission regarding 2023-24 Education Funding and the Grants for Student Needs
September 29, 2022 – Letter to Minister Lecce regarding electronic meetings of school boards
September 23, 2022 – Letter to Ministers Lecce and Clark regarding housing supply and school infrastructure
August 3, 2022 – Letter to Ministers Lecce and Cho regarding accessibility in public education
January 26, 2022 – OPSBA Submission to the 2022 Pre-Budget Consultation
2021
December 14, 2021 – Letter to Minister Lecce regarding booster doses and rapid antigen testing for education workers
December 9, 2021 – Joint school board association letter to the Ontario Teachers’ Federation regarding the 50-day limit for retired educators
December 1, 2021 – OPSBA Submission regarding 2022-23 Education Funding and the Grants for Student Needs
November 10, 2021 – Submission to the Standing Committee on Good Government regarding Bill 13, Supporting People and Businesses Act, 2021
October 28, 2021 – Letter to Minister Lecce regarding School Board Trustee Codes of Conduct
October 28, 2021 – Letter to Minister Lecce regarding COVID-19 response
October 25, 2021 – Joint post-secondary-K-12 submission to Minister Cho regarding accessibility compliance reporting
October 4, 2021 – OPSBA submission to the K-12 Education Standards Development Committee regarding proposed recommendations for an Education Accessibility Standard
September 29, 2021 – Letter to Premier Ford from Indigenous Trustees’ Council Chair regarding Indigenous Education and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
August 13, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Premier Ford regarding mandatory vaccination in the education sector
June 4, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Lecce regarding 2021-22 Grants for Student Needs funding implications
May 28, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Premier Ford regarding the reopening of Ontario schools
May 25, 2021 – OPSBA Response to Bill 288, Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021
May 19, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Lecce regarding Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program funding for private schools
May 12, 2021 – OPSBA Response to Bill 216 – Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020
April 29, 2021 – OPSBA Response to Bill 276, Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021
April 8, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Lecce regarding the government’s remote learning proposal
March 25, 2021 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Lecce regarding the vaccination of education workers
March 19, 2021 – OPSBA Response to the Ministry of Education Questionnaire: Helping to Combat Sex Trafficking of Elementary and Secondary Students in Ontario
February 11, 2021 – OPSBA Submission to the 2021 Ontario Budget Consultation
January 21, 2021 – OPSBA Submission regarding 2021-22 Education Funding (Grants for Student Needs)
2020
December 10, 2020 – OPSBA Submission to the Ministry of Education and TVO
November 30, 2020 – Indigenous Trustees’ Council Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce
November 27, 2020 – OPSBA Response to Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020
November 19, 2020 – OPSBA Submission to the Minister of Education’s Consultation Document Regarding Proposed Regulatory Amendments under the Childcare and Early Years Act, 2014
November 16, 2020 – OPSBA Submission regarding the Draft PPM on Teacher Hiring Practices
October 27, 2020 – OPSBA Submission regarding PPM 164: Requirements for Remote Learning
October 8, 2020 – OPSBA Letter regarding virtual committee and school board meetings
October 7, 2020 – OPSBA Letter regarding Bill 204, Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020
July 20, 2020 – OPSBA Submission to the Ministry of Education regarding Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020
June 15, 2020 – OPSBA Submission to the Ministry of Education regarding Ontario’s Plan to Reopen Schools
May 26, 2020 – OPSBA Letter to Ministry of Transportation regarding proposed amendments to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act to development a regulatory framework that would allow for evidence from a school bus camera to be introduced in court without the need for a witness
April 30, 2020 – OPSBA Submission on bullying in schools and anti-bullying initiatives
April 9, 2020 – OPSBA Letter to Liberal Party of Ontario Leader Steven Del Duca
March 10, 2020 – OPSBA Submission regarding Cannabis Consumption and Special Occasion Permits
March 2, 2020 – OPSBA Northern Region Letter to Minister’s Office Staff Re: Northern Ontario concerns
January 31, 2020 – OPSBA Submission regarding 2020-21 Education Funding
January 23, 2020 – Submission to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs regarding the 2020-21 Pre-Budget Consultations
2019
December 13, 2019 – Letter to MPP Christina Mitas regarding her appointment as anti-bullying adviser to Minister Lecce
December 12, 2019 – Letter to Minister Lecce regarding Education Development Charges
December 6, 2019 – Letter to the Standing Committee on Social Policy re: Bill 116, Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act, 2019
December 4, 2019 – Letter to Minister Stephen Lecce regarding northern Ontario education issues and concerns
October 31, 2019 – Letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Local Government Week
October 23, 2019 – Letter to Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs following his meeting with trustees at OPSBA’s Northern Regional Meeting
October 10, 2019 – Letter to the Minister of Education following his attendance at the September 29 OPSBA Board of Directors Meeting
October 3, 2019 – Letter to the Ministry of Education regarding Education Development Charges and Land Expropriation
October 2, 2019 – Letter to the Ministry of Transportation regarding Automated Speed Enforcement (photo radar) in school zones
July 17, 2019 – Letter to Minister Lecce re: the federal government’s Climate Action Incentive Fund for Schools
May 31, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the Next Phase of Consultation on Hiring Practices and Class Size (see below, February 14, for our prior submission)
May 31, 2019 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 108, More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019
May 30, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the Ontario Autism Program Consultations
May 23, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Ministry of Education re: Proposed Regulatory Amendments under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, and the Education Act, 1990
May 22, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to AMO President Jamie McGarvey re: Bill 107, Getting Ontario Moving Act, 2019
May 22, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Toronto Mayor John Tory re: Bill 107, Getting Ontario Moving Act, 2019
May 22, 2019 – OPSBA Letter Minister Thompson re: the Minister’s Task Force on School Boards
May 9, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs re: Bill 100, Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019
May 3, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Thompson re: school board policies on service animals
April 3, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Québec Minister of Education re: Support for the Québec English School Boards Association and the Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec
March 18, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on General Government re: Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act
February 27, 2019 – OPSBA Letter to Ministers MacLeod and Thompson regarding changes to the Ontario Autism Program
February 25, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy re: Bill 48, Safe and Supporting Classrooms Act; and Speaking Notes for OPSBA President Cathy Abraham and Executive Director Rusty Hick at the Standing Committee on Social Policy
February 14, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the Class Size and Hiring Practices Regulation Engagement
January 22, 2019 – OPSBA Submission to the 2019-20 Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations
2018
December 14, 2018 – OPSBA Submission Regarding 2019-20 Education Funding
December 12, 2018 – OPSBA Submission to Ministry of Education’s Consultation: Education in Ontario
December 11, 2018 – OPSBA Letter to Minister Thompson in support of OSTA-AECO
November 14, 2018 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018
October 11, 2018 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 36, Cannabis Statue Law Amendment Act, 2018
August 23, 2018 – OPSBA Letter to New AMO President Jamie McGarvey
August 10, 2018 – Second OPSBA Letter to Minister of Education re Health & Physical Education Curriculum
July 25, 2018 – OPSBA Letter to Minister of Education re Health & Physical Education Curriculum
May 24, 2018 – OPSBA Response to Rowan’s Law Potential Regulations
April 26, 2018 – OPSBA Response to Proposed Amendments to the Education Act: Bill 31, Schedule 9
April 4, 2018 – OPSBA Response to the New Vision for Student Transportation in Ontario discussion paper
March 23, 2018 – OPSBA Feedback on Draft Revisions to Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG) and Community Planning and Partnerships Guideline (CPPG)
February 9, 2018 – OPSBA Response to Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety) Regulatory Posting and OPSBA Submission (February 27, 2018) to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 193, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety)
January 31, 2018 – OPSBA Letter to Nova Scotia Education Minister re: Nova Scotia school boards
January 16, 2018 – OPSBA 2018 Pre-Budget Consultation Submission
2017
December 5, 2017 – OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2018-19 Education Funding Engagement Guide / GSN
November 30, 2017 – OPSBA’s Submission re: Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 (and President Laurie French and Executive Director Rusty Hick’s speaking notes)
November 24, 2017 – OPSBA Submission to the Sector Engagement regarding Governance-Related Issues
November 8, 2017 – Letter to Minister Mitzie Hunter regarding a request for review of Education Development Charges regulation
September 19, 2017 – Letter to Ministry of Education staff regarding the legalization of cannabis
July 26, 2017 – Letter to federal Minister Bennett and provincial Minister Zimmer from the Indigenous Trustees’ Council re: challenges faced by Nishnawbe Aski Nation students
July 20, 2017 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act
July 14, 2017 – OPSBA Submission Re: Education Accessibility Standard Engagement
June 29, 2017 – Joint School Board Submission to the Ontario Human Rights Commission regarding an update of the Guidelines on Accessible Education
June 16, 2017 – OPSBA Submission re: the Rural and Remote Education Review and Discussion Paper
May 15, 2017 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 114, Anti-Racism Act
April 26, 2017 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 65, Safer School Zones Act
April 3, 2017 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 68, Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act
March 17, 2017 – OPSBA Response to the Ministry Consultation on the Well-being Engagement Paper
March 8, 2017 – Joint Association Submission to Standing Committee on General Government re: Bill 92, School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act, 2017
February 10, 2017 – Joint Association Letter to Min. Hunter re: consultation on the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act
February 1, 2017 – OPSBA Submission regarding Building a Better Future – Early Years and Child Care Discussion Paper
January 11, 2017 – OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2017-18 Education Funding Engagement Guide / GSN
2016
November 28, 2016 – OPSBA Submission regarding Bill 45, Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016
November 23, 2016 – OPSBA Submission regarding before-and-after-school care for kindergarten to Grade 6 draft policies and guidelines for school boards
October 20, 2016 – OPSBA Submission regarding proposed amendments to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s Safe Drinking Water Act, Ontario Reg. 243
October 11, 2016 – OPSBA Submission to the Consultation re: Gender and Sex Information on Government IDs and Forms
May 12, 2016 – OPSBA Submission on Bill 181, Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016
April 1, 2016 – OPSBA Response to the Regulatory Registry Consultation Document Regarding the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and the Education Act
January 27, 2016 – OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2016-17 Education Funding
2015
December 18, 2015 – Joint School Board Association Submission to the Premier’s Special Adviser on Community Hubs
December 10, 2015 – OPSBA Submission on Proposed Reforms to O. Reg. 444/98 – Disposition of Surplus Real Property
December 10, 2015 – OPSBA Letter Regarding the Reinstatement of the Federal Census
November 4, 2015 – OPSBA Submission on Bill 113, Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015
October 30, 2015 – OPSBA Submission to the Municipal Legislation Review
July 24, 2015 – OPSBA Submission to the Municipal Election Act Review
July 15, 2015 – OPSBA Submission to the Quebec Election Systems Study Panel
June 26, 2015 – OPSBA Submission to the Premier’s Special Advisor on Community Hubs
May 22, 2015 – OPSBA Feedback on the Regional Internal Audit Initiative
May 14, 2015 – OPSBA Submission to Toronto DSB Governance Advisory Panel
May 11, 2015 – OPSBA Response to the Regulatory Registry Posting related to the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
April 21, 2015 – Letter to Chair of the Standing Committee on General Government regarding Bill 45, Making Healthier Choices Act, 2015
April 14, 2015 – OPSBA letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister Liz Sandals regarding the members of the Community Hub Framework Advisory Group
March 12, 2015 – OPSBA Submission Re: Bill C-597, An Act to Amend the Holidays Act (Remembrance Day)
January 21, 2015 – OPSBA Brief Re: 2015 Pre-Budget Consultations
2014
December 17, 2014 – OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education re: 2015-16 Education Funding Consultation Guide and GSN Consultation
December 10, 2014 – Letter to Hon. Coin Campbell re: Student Transportation Competitive Procurement Review
December 5, 2014 – OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education re: Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline changes
November 26, 2014 – Joint School Board Submission to the Standing Committee on General Government re: Bill 8, Public Sector Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014
November 19, 2014 – OPSBA Submission re: Bill 10, Childcare Modernization Act, 2014
October 24, 2014 – OPSBA Member Board Information Re: 34+ Credit Strategy Implementation
October 15, 2014 – OPSBA Letter to the Minister of Education re: Trustee Honoraria
May 23, 2014 – Joint School Board Sector Submission to Independent Review of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
April 29, 2014 – OPSBA Submission re: Proposed Changes to Ontario’s Fire Code Requirements
April 9, 2014 – OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy re: Bill 135, Ryan’s Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools), 2013
March 31, 2014 – OPSBA Submission/Open Letter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on Bill C-23, Fair Elections Act
March 19, 2014 – OASBO Presentation to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills regarding Bill 69, Prompt Payment Act, 2013
February 28, 2014 – OPSBA Submission re: the Proposal to Amend Regulation 262 under the Day Nurseries Act – Child Care Modernization Document
February 26, 2014 – OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly re: Bill 122, School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014
January 24, 2014 – Education Partner Submission to Minister Sandals re: Bill 135: Ryan’s Law (Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools)
January 22, 2014 – OPSBA Submission to Minister Sousa re: 2014 Pre-Budget Consultations
January 22, 2014– OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs re: 2014 Pre-Budget Consultations
January 10, 2014 – OPSBA Submission to the Land Use Planning and Appeal System Consultation and the Development Charges Consultation
