The Legislative Assembly of Ontario resumes February 20, 2018. Legislation being monitored includes:
Bill 191, Education Amendment Act (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), 2017
This private member’s bill was introduced on December 13, 2017, by Liberal MPP Sophie Kiwala, MPP (Kingston and the Islands). This bill would require boards to promote awareness and understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), including best practices to support pupils who may have FASD. It would also require boards to facilitate collaboration with parents and FASD Support Groups.
Bill 193, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety)
This bill was introduced on December 14, 2017, by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon. If passed, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2017, and amendments to the Education Act would provide the framework to govern concussion prevention, detection, management and awareness in amateur competitive sport and schools.
In addition to the legislation, the government had a posting on the Ontario’s Regulatory Registry that included discussion questions concerning the bill and its potential requirements. Both of OPSBA’s work teams (Policy Development and Education Program) discussed this at meetings held during the Public Education Symposium. The comments also reflect the OPSBA submission to the drafting of PPM 158 – School Board Policies on Concussions, which was released in 2014. A main concern remains to ensure our students are able to not only return to play but return to learn.
Anti-Racism Data Standards
On February 12, 2018, the Anti-Racism Directorate issued a posting on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry with proposed standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism (Anti-Racism Data Standards). The proposal includes minimum requirements for the planning, collection, management, analysis and reporting of personal information. This is to include information about Indigenous identity, race and race-related information. OPSBA has reached out the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to determine the Ministry’s expectations and how the Ministry will approach the education sector.
OPSBA submission re Bill 115, Anti-Racism Act
Other information
- February 6, 2018 – Ontario Boosting Opportunities for Students to Stay Active
- February 9, 2018 – Ontario Expanding Early Years Programming for Indigenous Children
- February 14, 2018 – Ontario Improving Access to High-Speed Internet for Over 250,000 Students
- February 15, 2018 – Province Investing in Economic Development for Indigenous Communities in Central and Southwestern Ontario
