Ontario Re-Introduces Protecting Students Act
Province Ensuring Children and Students are Safe at School
Ontario is protecting children and students by re-introducing legislation that would make the disciplinary process for the province’s educators more clear and transparent.
If passed, the Protecting Students Act and subsequent regulations would improve the Ontario College of Teachers’ investigation and disciplinary processes, reduce the potential for conflicts of interest and help protect children, students and teachers by:
- Ensuring a teacher’s certificate is automatically revoked if he or she has been found guilty of sexual abuse or acts relating to child pornography
- Requiring employers, including school boards, to inform the college when they have restricted a teacher’s duties or dismissed him or her for professional misconduct
- Allowing the college to share information with the school board or employer if the subject of a complaint poses an immediate risk to a student or child
- Requiring the college to publish all decisions from its discipline committee
- Improving timelines for the investigation and consideration of complaints.
The re-introduction of the Protecting Students Act is part of Ontario’s commitment to re-introduce all government bills that were before the legislature in spring 2016, so that debate on important issues may continue.
Protecting the safety of children and students is part of the province’s plan to build an education system where all students and educators can reach their full potential.
QUOTES
” Educators are professionals who care about the safety, well-being and achievement of their students and children. But in those rare circumstances when discipline is required, it is important for Ontario families to be confident in the action that is taken. This proposed legislation will strengthen the authority of the colleges to take decisive action, while ensuring the process is open and transparent for everyone involved.”
– Mitzie Hunter
Minister of Education
” We are committed to ensuring that Ontario teachers support student success and achievement. That’s why, working with the government, we are keen to strengthen our disciplinary processes. In the rare cases where discipline is required, teachers, parents and students know that a fair, timely and transparent process will be in place.”
– Michael Salvatori
College Registrar, Ontario College of Teachers
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