The Ontario government is introducing a new law called the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025. If passed, this law will strengthen how the government oversees school boards, colleges, universities, and children’s aid societies. It is designed to improve safety, support, and success for children and youth across the province.
The proposed changes come after concerns about how some school boards have handled their finances. The new law would give the Minister of Education the power to act quickly when there are problems that affect students or the public. The goal is to make sure schools and other services are doing what’s best for children, both in their education and their well-being.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said parents deserve to know that their local school boards are acting in the best interest of students. He said the government wants to ensure that every dollar spent in education helps students gain real skills that lead to stable and well-paying jobs. Calandra added that these new measures will improve how school boards are run and make sure their focus stays on student success, not politics or unnecessary paperwork.
If the act becomes law, school boards would be required to create clear rules for spending and to post the expenses of top officials on their websites. Children’s aid societies would also be expected to follow tighter rules for financial decisions and board operations. Ontario’s colleges and universities would need to be more open about how they admit students and what they charge for tuition and other fees.
The proposed law also introduces new ways to support and recognize students. For example, students who complete 50 or more community service hours would be eligible for a new Minister’s Certificate of Recognition. School boards would be required to start or continue School Resource Officer programs, if they are available through their local police services, beginning in the next school year.