Ontario’s Bill 33 sparks fierce education sector backlash

Ontario’s Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act, has triggered intense criticism from education stakeholders across the province. The legislation, introduced by the provincial government and passed on November 18^th, 2025, has united five major education unions in a rare and forceful joint response.

The Association Des Enseignantes Et Des Enseignants Franco-Ontariens (AEFO), the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (CUPE-OSBCC), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) released a statement outlining their urgent concerns. The unions warn that the bill sets the stage for long-term harm to the quality of public education.

They argue that Ontario’s schools already struggle with overcrowded classrooms, rising violence, deteriorating infrastructure, and deep cuts to special education. Instead of addressing those issues, they say the government pushed forward legislation that distracts from the real crises and worsens conditions for students.

The unions’ statement calls the bill a “Hostile takeover of publicly funded education governance,” and a “Strategic attack on democracy” packaged as modernization and accountability. They argue that the government used its majority to silence communities rather than support students or strengthen trust in the system.

The press release outlines the bill’s consequences in clear terms. Bill 33 sidelines democratically elected trustees, which weakens transparency and disempowers families. It also opens the door to politically driven decisions that brush aside student needs and community voices. Under the legislation, ministry-appointed supervisors will gain authority. Many of these supervisors lack experience in education, ties to local communities, or understanding of French-language education. The unions also warn that these appointees may disregard equity and human rights principles.

The unions point to the actions of provincially appointed supervisors to date. According to the release, these supervisors answer only to the Ford government instead of the people the education system serves. Their decisions have included cuts to special education, reductions in English and French language support, and centralized arts funding that restricts student access. The unions say the mission is unmistakable: reduce costs regardless of the impact on student well-being and achievement.

A province-wide poll commissioned by ETFO on October 8^th, 2025, drew attention to public opinion on the future of school trustees. INNOVATIVE’s Canada Omnibus survey reached 2,531 Ontario residents aged 18 and older between September 4^th and 28^th. Respondents were asked whether they prefer the current system of elected trustees, or a system managed directly by the provincial government.

The results offer a clear message. Almost half of respondents (49%) support keeping elected trustees. Among parents of school-aged children, support climbs to 59%. Only 24% favour removing trustees entirely. Another 27% say they need more information, which shows how little awareness the public has about the issue and how quickly changes are unfolding.

ETFO President David Mastin says people across the province worry about losing local representation. Removing elected trustees concentrates power at Queen’s Park, weakens equity, and quiets marginalized voices. He stresses that families will lose their direct line to decision-makers who understand their communities.

Mastin says this shift harms students and communities because it strips them of the right to shape public education. “This is a dismantling of democracy in real time. Let’s mobilize and defend our schools and our students.”

He adds that the government’s approval of Bill 33, despite broad opposition, reveals its disregard for public input. The consequences of pushing this controversial legislation through the Legislature will continue to unfold.