The Legislative Assembly of Ontario has resumed. With mandatory face-covering rules lifted across the province and in the legislature, voluntary masking in the chamber is divided mostly along partisan lines. The public galleries were also open for attendees during question period for the first time in two years.
New and Recent Legislation
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs tabled its report on its 2022 pre-budget consultations. OPSBA and the other school board/trustee associations were included as presenters with specific comments attributed (see page 10). OPSBA sent the Committee a modified version of its 2022-23 Education Funding/Grants for Student Needs (GSN) submission and two members of our Executive Council presented (OPSBA President Cathy Abraham and Northern Region Chair Sheryl Evans).
Bill 106, Centering Youth in Pandemic Recovery Act, 2022
(Note: the Bill has yet to be posted)
This legislation was re-introduced on March 24, 2022 by NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles. It would establish an action plan to address pandemic impacts on youth and children. It would also create a COVID-19 recovery youth secretariat to ensure that government bills are looked at through the lens of their impact on children and youth.
Status: First Reading
Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, 2022
This proposed legislation was introduced on February 28, 2022, by Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton. It contains five Schedules or changes to various Acts, including Schedule 2, Employment Standards Act, 2000. The bill did not have any public hearings and proceeded directly to clausal review on March 9, 2022. The bill is expected to return to the House after March Break for Third Reading.
Current Status: Referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on March 23, 2022
Bill 86, Our London Family Act (Working Together to Combat Islamophobia and Hatred), 2022
This proposed legislation was introduced on February 23, 2022, by the four London NDP MPPs: Faisal Hassan, Teresa J. Armstrong, Terence Kernaghan, and Peggy Sattler. The proposed bill includes nine Schedules including changes to the Education Act. The bill was drafted in collaboration with the National Council of Canadian Muslims, and the Liberals and Greens have already pledged to support it.
Current Status: Referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on March 3, 2022. There are currently no public hearings scheduled.
Bill 67, Racial Equity in the Education System Act, 2021
This proposed legislation was originally introduced on December 2, 2021, by NDP MPP Laura Mae Lindo, who is the party’s Anti-Racism Critic. This would be a new “Act to amend various Acts with respect to racial equity,” including the Education Act. This past week it passed other legislative stages.
Current Status: Referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on March 3, 2022. There are currently no public hearings scheduled.
Bill 10, Stopping Harassment and Abuse by Local Leaders Act, 2021
Liberal MPP Stephen Blais re-tabled this bill on October 6, 2021. It would insist the code of conduct for municipal councillors and members of local boards include a requirement for those councillors and members to comply with workplace violence and harassment policies.
Note: This does not apply to school board trustees.
Current Status: Referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy on March 9, 2022. There are currently no public hearings scheduled.
Ministry of Education Memos
- March 24, 2022: Memo B08, Safe Indoor Air Top Up to Federal Safe Return to Class Fund
- March 16, 2022: Memo B07, 2022 Proportions of Enrolment for purposes of the Education Act, subsections 238(2) and 257.8(3)
- March 16, 2022: Memo SB07, Amendments to Grants for Student Needs and Related Regulations
- March 16, 2022: Memo SB06, 2020-21 Audit Committee Annual Report to the Ministry
- March 16, 2022: Ministry Communications to District School Boards Revised – March 2022
Other News Releases and Information
- March 25, 2022: Public Sector Salary Disclosure for 2021
- March 25, 2022 News Release: Ontario Takes Action to Provide French-language Equity Resources
- March 24, 2022 News Release: Ontario Expanding Mental Health Services for Indian Residential School Survivors
- March 23, 2022 News Release: Ontario Extends Freeze on College and University Tuition
- March 22, 2022 News Release: Ontario Strengthening Protections Against Bullying and Violence at School
- March 21, 2022: Annual Report from Patient Ombudsman Craig Thompson’s office
- March 16, 2022 News Release: Ontario Helping More Young People Start Careers in the Skilled Trades
