ONTARIO PASSES BILL 33, GRANTS MORE POWERS TO GOVERNMENT
Ontario legislature passed the Bill 33, known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 on Nov.19, bringing in major changes to how school boards, children’s aid societies, and post-secondary institutions are governed
The newly passed controversial bill is a piece of legislation that introduces significant changes to the oversight of school boards and post-secondary institutions in Ontario, giving the Minister of Education expanded powers to intervene in local decision-making.
Under this bill, Paul Calandra, Ontario’s minister of education, can take over school boards, mandate collaboration with local police to implement school resource officer programs where available and even remove school board trustees.
The government framed it as a necessary intervention to put school boards back on track, strengthen school safety and allow students to succeed. Calandra took over five school boards using earlier versions of these powers, citing financial mismanagement. He has now signalled that more boards are in his sights under Bill 33.
While the government has framed the bill as necessary for accountability, critics in the post-secondary sector say it increases provincial control without addressing core funding issues.
“Bill 33 hands the Minister more levers to pull and hands universities more paperwork for their already overworked staff,” Bruce Gillespie, president of Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA), said.
“It does not fix the basic problem, which is that Ontario’s universities are being asked to do more and more with less and less public funding,” he said.
Gillespie also raised concerns about the impact on post-secondary institutions. Bill 33 adds compliance requirements and administrative workload for universities without increasing provincial operating funding.
He warned that these new obligations could destabilize student-funded services, such as mental health support, transit and campus media, which directly affect students’ well-being and faculty’s ability to deliver quality education.
Equity-based admissions initiatives are also at risk.
“Equity-based admissions do not lower standards. They recognize that grades are produced inside unequal systems,” Gillespie said.
“Bill 33 gives the government new tools to second-guess those efforts from Queen’s Park, which is exactly the opposite of what we need if we want campuses to reflect the diversity of Ontario,” he said.
Gillespie warns that preserving the authority of university Senates is critical under the new legislation. Senates play a key role in maintaining academic standards and research independence, and Gillespie argues that provincial intervention in admissions and research priorities could undermine academic freedom.
This bill not only impacts post-secondary institutions, but also influences primary and secondary school boards, such as the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB).
“With the passing of Bill 33, the WRDSB will continue to follow the direction and guidance of the Ministry of Education and comply with all provincial legislation,” Scott Miller, director of education at the WRDSB, said.
“Our commitment to supporting student achievement and the well-being of all students remains the highest priority. We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with students, staff, parents, families, caregivers, and community partners to ensure that all decisions and actions reflect the needs and values of those in WRDSB schools and workplaces,” Miller said.
He also said more information about Bill 33 and its changes to the school board will be made available on the WRDSB website.
The government portrays Bill 33 as a measure to improve oversight and student success. Faculty, staff and student representatives across Ontario argue that the legislation prioritizes increased provincial control over the funding crisis, campus services and local governance, leaving many in the education community concerned about its long-term impact.
This article was cross-published with The Cord.
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