How do I advocate for public education:
You can advocate for student needs and proper funding by partnering with your school board trustees or joining and supporting local networks:
You can also write or call your local MPP, the Minister of Education, or the Premier of Ontario. Calling the office of elected officials is easy, staff are polite, and your feedback is recorded. Anyone can call, you don't need to be a parent or caregiver of a child in the school system; public education affects us all.
Doug Ford's office - 416-325-1941, premier@ontario.ca
Minister of Education - paul.calandra@pc.ola.org, minister.edu@ontario.ca
One of the best ways to support education is to get out and vote in municipal and provincial elections. Vote for your Trustee candidate in the municipal election (Oct 26, 2026) and vote in the next provincial election for candidates who prioritize education.
What's happening in Ontario Education:
A Funding Crisis:
Like other public services in Ontario education has reached a critical state of underfunding. In the last 2 years there has been no increase in education program funding; in 2025/26 the only spending increase was due to court ordered salary remedies for Bill 124 and in 2026/27 the government folded several smaller grants into the main Core Education funding category (not additional spending). For the past 6 years the Ontario government has refused to pay the federal increases in CPP & EI for the education and healthcare sectors, meaning that required spending comes out of education program budgets.
Two thirds of school boards can no longer balance their budgets or have the flexibility to fund the programs & supports that students need. Call the Premier and demand the government invest in all our futures by properly funding education.
TDSB Ministry Supervision & Cuts to Student Programs:
Under Ministry supervision of the TDSB in 2025/26 the provincial government cut funding
Elimination of 800 staff positions including VPs, teachers, & education support staff
Increased class sizes
Closed Outdoor Education sites and programs
Eliminated Model Schools (a government funded program that mitigates the impacts of poverty on student achievement)
Closed central Libraries
Reduced funding for community use of schools
Gutting Local Democracy:
Public voice in education is critical. School boards are the oldest form of elected governance in Canada and were formed to ensure that local voice guided local education and protected education from the partisan meddling of the broader elected government. Over the last year the Ontario government has used Bill 33 and Bill 101 to centralize political power and reduce voice at local boards, including by reducing the number of trustees in Toronto and capping honoraria at $9,000/yr. In addition the Minister has seized control of 8 Ontario school boards, which continue under supervision to run significant deficits. Families in the supervised boards have lost their say in their children's education.
Trustees & Elections:
Learn more about the role of Trustees in Ontario: https://elections.ontarioschooltrustees.org/
Learn more about Toronto Municipal Elections and register to vote: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/voter-information/myvote/
Contact:
For questions regarding the municipal election please contact michelle@aarts.ca
For questions or concerns regarding your school or the TDSB please contact your school office staff directly (Find my School) or your school Superintendent (Kwame.Lennon@tdsb.on.ca or Suhail.Shaikh@tdsb.on.ca ) or call the TDSB central offices at Tel: 416-395-8787