LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Viscount Alexander School parents are deeply dismayed by Ontario’s Bill 33

The Viscount Alexander Public School Council wishes to share concerns regarding the Ontario government’s recently passed Bill 33, the Supporting Students and Children Act, 2025. This legislation follows the dissolution of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board’s elected trustees and the appointment of a single supervisor. As a result, families in OCDSB Ward 6, including those at Viscount Alexander, no longer have representation from their elected trustee, Lyra Evans.
Our first area of concern is the expanded authority granted to the Ministry of Education to assume direct control of school boards. Elected school boards have existed in Ontario since 1850, providing a way for communities to communicate their local needs and hold the provincial government accountable for funding public education. These boards predate the creation of Ontario itself, which only became a province in 1867. Any change to this long-standing structure should be approached with caution and broad public dialogue. At present, there is limited evidence of public support for these changes, and recent polling suggests many Ontarians believe the central challenge facing schools is underfunding.
While our council does not always agree with every decision made by the OCDSB or its trustees, we value the democratic process that allows communities to elect their representatives and determine their future. Although the province has the legal authority to appoint supervisors in certain circumstances, we believe significant changes to democratic governance should involve transparent consultation with the communities affected.
We are also concerned about the bill’s requirement to reinstate school resource officers (SROs) in schools. Many boards previously removed police from schools following community consultation and research indicating that SRO programs can negatively impact the well-being of some students. Reports from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, for example, have highlighted disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups, including racialized and LGBTQIA2S+ students. Given the diversity of our school community, we believe decisions about SROs should be supported by clear evidence and made in collaboration with local stakeholders.
The bill also introduces a new provincial role in naming and renaming schools. We recognize that conversations about school names can be complex and sensitive, particularly in diverse communities. Viscount Alexander, for example, was a British military officer and later Governor General, and his legacy can be viewed in different ways. We believe discussions about school names are best carried out locally, with meaningful involvement from families, students, and community members.
More broadly, we share the widespread view that the most significant challenges facing Ontario’s public education system relate to funding. Research from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimates that provincial underfunding since 2018 now totals more than $6.3 billion, with Ottawa receiving $560 less per student in the 2024-2025 school year after adjusting for inflation. These funding pressures contribute to larger class sizes, reduced services, and greater strain on school communities.
For these reasons, the Viscount Alexander Public School Council respectfully urges the government to reconsider Bill 33, reinstate elected trustees, and commit to adequately funding public education. We affirm the importance of accountable, community-based, and democratically elected school boards in supporting the success and well-being of all students.

Viscount Alexander Public School Parents’ Council