M

Legislative Update

2016 11/7 | Connects Page, Elections, Provincial Updates, Trustee PD

The House adjourned for constituency week from November 7 to 11 and MPPs will reconvene on Monday, November 14, 2016. These leaves 16 days before the Legislative Assembly rises for Winter Break after Thursday December 8, 2016.

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé released his first annual report since taking office. The ombudsman received 22,118 cases in the 2015-16 fiscal year. The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) received 1,025 complaints, “making it once again the most complained about government organization.” The FRO is the provincial body in charge of enforcing child and spousal support payments.  Details about school boards can be found on page 29 and board specific statistics begin on page 64. These are listed by school boards and not individual schools. The top 5 case topics were: Staff and Trustee conduct; special education; transportation; enrolment/boundary issues and employment issues; and student safety.  Dubé also said his office is in the early stages of its investigation into school bus services. Click here for a copy the report.

Ombudsman Statistics are from September 2015 when oversight began. The Annual Report statistics are from September 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

Month School Boards Universities Municipalities
End of September 2015 117
October 170
November 205
December 246
January 295 37 441
February 348 61 722
March 389 89 920
April 444 104 1212
May 502 121 1470
June 608 140 1746
July 641 152 1995
August 683 166 2155
September 2016 859 190 2487
October 974 205 2736

Bill 37, Protecting Students Act

  • The bill has completed its clause-by-clause review at the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. It will return to the House for Third Reading on Monday November 14, 2016.

Bill 45, Election Statute Law Amendment Act

  • Second Reading debate has ended and a vote to move the bill to Committee will occur when the House resumes.

Other information:

  • Wednesday November 9 and Thursday November 10, 2016 — Provincial Education Event. Key topics include: well-being, collaborative professionalism, early years and child care transformation and education funding consultation. Many representatives from our member boards will be attending, as well as OPSBA President Laurie French and senior OPSBA staff.
  • Thursday November 17, 2016 — by-election date for the ridings of Ottawa-Vanier and Niagara West-Glanbrook.