Category: Stephen Lecce

Ontario Education Minister Urges Schools to Celebrate Pride Month After Board Votes Against Flying Flag

Following controversy at York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB), which recently decided not to fly the pride flag for Pride Month in June, education minister Stephen Lecce has issued a memo saying “it is incumbent on all school boards” to ensure LGBTQ students feel supported. “That includes celebrating Pride in a constructive, positive and meaningful…


ANALYSIS: ’Vague Promises’: Ontarians Try to Read Between the Lines of New School Legislation

News Analysis Ontario’s education minister tabled legislation on April 17 that he says will bring schools’ focus back to basics—math and literacy. But the question many are asking is, what does the minister think the schools have been focusing on too much instead? “Does the education minister plan to elevate the focus on math and…


Michael Taube: When It Comes to the Notwithstanding Clause, Doug Ford Had No Other Option

Commentary Ontario Premier Doug Ford passed Bill 28, or the Keeping Students in Class Act, on Nov. 3 to prevent roughly 55,000 education support workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees from going on strike. The provincial government also received royal assent to include Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,…


On Ontario Election Campaign Trail, Education Promises Miss the Mark

Commentary Next to health care, education is the second most expensive line item in every provincial budget. It’s not surprising that education is a major topic during the current Ontario election campaign. Politicians from all parties are making plenty of education campaign pledges. Too bad most of these promises would have little impact on student…


Despite a Strong Mandate, Ontario PCs Failed to Deliver on Education Promises

Commentary Back in 2018, things looked hopeful on the education file in Ontario. Newly elected Premier Doug Ford had campaigned on a platform that included scrapping discovery math, strengthening curriculum standards, and focusing on the academic basics. Given his bulldog reputation, there were excellent reasons to believe that Ford would stand up to the typical…


Ontario’s New Anti-Sex Trafficking Policy Welcomed by Child Protection Organization

For organizations that grapple with youth sex trafficking on the front line, the Ontario government’s new policy framework that mandates school boards to implement anti-trafficking protocols is welcome news. “It’s wonderful that the money is now being given to prevention and education around human trafficking,” Julie Moore, the human trafficking program co-ordinator at Boost Child…