Demonstrators gathered at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, accusing the provincial government of intentionally neglecting the education system to create a crisis and lay the groundwork for the reinstatement of police officers in schools.
Advocates emphasize the importance of adequate funding for additional education staff, such as child and youth workers, mental health supports, guidance counselors, and social workers to maintain a safe school environment.
Critics argue that Bill 33, or the Supporting Children and Students Act, does not allocate funds for these essential support services. Instead, the bill mandates collaboration between school boards and local police services to provide access to school premises and implement school resource officer programs.
Andrea Vásquez Jiménez, the director of Policing-Free Schools, asserts that this move adversely impacts all students in Ontario.
A representative for the government contends that school resource officer programs promote positive relationships between students and law enforcement, enhancing school safety.
Contrary to this, Jiménez rebuts that there is no evidence supporting the notion that police presence reduces violence in schools.
Following the discontinuation of the school resource officer program by the Toronto District School Board in 2017 due to students feeling intimidated, watched, or targeted, teachers’ unions report a significant 77% rise in school violence since Doug Ford assumed office in 2018.
Additionally, Bill 33 grants the government significant authority over school boards, and the Education Minister has threatened to remove elected trustees.
While the Education Minister’s office plans to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to reintroduce school resource officers, the Toronto Police Association supports this initiative. However, Toronto police clarified in July that they will not reinstate school resource officers, opting to engage with schools upon invitation or in response to service calls.