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Bill 35, Equity Education for Young Ontarians Act, 2021

Collard, Lucille

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Status

Debates

Acts affected

Original

Bill 35 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill amends the Education Act . It requires the

Minister of Education to ensure that information on a number of topics is

included in the curriculum for junior kindergarten, kindergarten and each grade

from grade 1 through grade 12 in an age-appropriate manner. These topics

include the history of colonization and its impact on the rights of Indigenous

and racialized people, the ongoing racial and social inequities in Ontario and

how pupils can contribute to building an inclusive and equitable Ontario.

The

Ministry is required to have an administrative division known as the Education

Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch. The school boards are required to

provide annual reports on equity-related topics to the director of the

Education Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch. The director of the Education

Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch may make recommendations to the Minister

to address any issues or disparities identified in the reports.

Bill 35 2021

Act to amend the Education Act with respect to equity education and the

Education Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch

Her

Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the

Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

The Education Act is amended by adding the

following section:

Equity

education

Curriculum

8.0.1

(1) The curriculum

guidelines issued by the Minister under paragraphs 3 and 3.0.0.1 of subsection

8 (1) shall ensure that information on the following topics is included in the

curriculum for junior kindergarten, kindergarten and each grade from grade 1

through grade 12 in an age-appropriate manner:

1. The history of colonization and its

impact on the rights of Indigenous and racialized people.

2. The

ongoing racial and social inequities in Ontario, including, in particular,

disparities in Ontarians’ experiences with Ontario’s health care, justice and

education systems.

3. How

pupils can contribute to building an inclusive and equitable Ontario.

Consultation

(2) In

developing the curriculum guidelines described in subsection (1), the Minister

shall consult with,

(

a) non-governmental

persons and organizations who have specialized knowledge in the topics set out

in that subsection; and

(

b) groups

representing Ontarians who are Black, Indigenous or persons of colour.

Training

and support

(3) The

Minister shall provide training and support for teachers and other staff of the

board respecting the topics set out in subsection (1).

The Act is amended by adding the following Part:

PART I.1

EDUCATION EQUITY SECRETARIAT INITIATIVES BRANCH

Education

Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch

17.2 There shall be an

administrative division of the Ministry known as the Education Equity

Secretariat Initiatives Branch.

Annual

report to be provided to Education Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch

17.3 On or before December

31 in each year, every board shall provide the director of the Education Equity

Secretariat Initiatives Branch with a report that contains the following:

1. Information

on systemic barriers in the board’s area of jurisdiction that affect racialized

pupils and staff.

2. Information

on equity needs and issues that affect the board’s pupils and staff.

3. Information

on human rights needs and issues that affect the board’s pupils and staff.

4. Measures

the board deems appropriate in order to enhance diversity and improve its

policies, procedures, programs and practices for racialized pupils and staff

based on systemic barriers identified by the board.

5. Recommendations

and anti-oppression measures that affect the board’s pupils and staff.

Recommendations

17.4 The director of the

Education Equity Secretariat Initiatives Branch shall make recommendations to

the Minister to address any issues or disparities identified in the reports

collected under

section 17.3.

Commencement

This Act comes into force three months after the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the Equity Education for

Young Ontarians Act, 2021 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

October 27, 2021

First Reading

Vote

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

October 27, 2021

Committee

Second Reading

Committee

Third Reading

Royal Assent

Acts affected - Bill 35

Most Ontario public acts are available electronically; to view copies of the Acts to be amended by this bill visit e-laws

Education Act

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

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