Today MPP Bill Walker announced that the Ford government is putting forward legislative amendments that would help keep children and students in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound safer, and ensure that they are better supported in their learning.

If passed, the changes would prioritize student safety by mandating the following:

- the Discipline Committees of the Ontario College of Teachers and College of Early Childhood Educators to revoke an educator’s certificate of registration for any act of sexual abuse of a student or child; and

- provide regulation-making authority for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to prescribe other criminal offences of a sexual nature that would result in the mandatory revocation of an educator’s certificate of registration.

- In addition, the changes would also require all new teachers to successfully complete a math content knowledge test before seeking their teaching registration.

“We’re proposing these changes to ensure Ontario will continue to be one of the best education systems in the world,” said MPP Walker.

The government also plans to proclaim existing provisions of legislation into effect that will ensure students and children who have been subjected to alleged sexual abuse by a member of the Ontario College of Teachers or College of Early Childhood Educators, have access to the counselling and therapy supports they need.

“Our message is Ontario schools have zero tolerance for sexual abuse,” MPP Walker said. “Overall, these changes would improve the success, health and safety of Ontario’s students and children and put parents’ rights and voices first.”

Parents, students and educators currently have the opportunity to participate in a broad education consultation this fall. Topics will include improving performance in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines, better preparing students with needed job and life skills, making changes to mathematics and health and physical education curriculums, and the use of technology in the classroom.

Parents can also weigh in on what elements are important to include in a Ministry of Education Parents’ Bill of Rights by participating in consultation via www.fortheparents.ca

source: media release, MPP Bill Walker