News Release

Legislature passes Safe Schools Act

TORONTO – (June 14, 2000) The government's Safe Schools Act (Bill 81) which promotes respect, responsibility and civility in Ontario schools, was passed by the Legislature today. This fulfills one of the key election commitments made last year.

The Bill, when proclaimed, will give force to the provincial Code of Conduct released by Education Minister Janet Ecker in April and is aimed at making sure that schools are safe places where students can learn and teachers can teach.

"Under the new provincial Code of Conduct, beginning this September, everyone involved in our publicly funded education system will have to abide by clear standards of behaviour," said Ecker. "There will be clear consequences for students who commit serious infractions like bringing a weapon to school. They will face expulsion. Students who cause extensive property damage, swear at a teacher or threaten serious injury will be suspended."

"Parents, students and teachers have told us they want their schools to be safe, respectful environments for learning and teaching," Ecker said. "From the many letters and expressions of support I have received, it is clear that a vast majority of Ontarians support the measures being taken."

Staged implementation will begin this fall. In addition to giving authority to the new provincial Code of Conduct, the Safe Schools Act allows the government to proceed with plans to:

• Give teachers the authority to suspend students for one school day.
• Give school principals the authority to expel students from their school for up to one school year.
• Give parents or guardians the right to request a review and/or an appeal of an expulsion.
• Set mandatory requirements for students who have been expelled to attend a strict discipline or equivalent program in order to re-enter the regular school system.
• Require that school boards provide programs for suspended students.
• Allow a majority of parents at any school to decide on a dress code or a uniform for their children.
• Allow for criminal background checks of anyone working in a school and give principals authority to deny access to anyone who poses a threat to school safety.
• Require that the opening or closing exercises in schools must include the singing of O Canada and may include the recitation of a pledge of citizenship.

"Respect and responsibility are an important part of ensuring that schools in our publicly funded education system are safe. With this Act, we are taking another step to ensure that our children are safe and secure when they go to school," said Ecker.