Ontario’s education minister has issued a directive to school boards, urging them to ensure that upcoming graduation ceremonies remain free from any “political views” or involvement in controversial issues, as per an internal memo obtained by CBC News. The memo, signed by Education Minister Paul Calandra and directed at educators and school board staff, emphasizes that the failure to adhere to these guidelines “poses a real risk to student well-being.” Calandra’s memo asserts his readiness to utilize all available tools under the Education Act to prioritize students’ interests.
According to the memo, school boards must, at the very least, ensure that staff members maintain the same standards expected of students. When questioned about the purpose of the communication to educators and staff, Emma Testani, press secretary for Calandra’s office, responded that “the letter speaks for itself.”
In a recent incident, a high school student in Ottawa was instructed to refrain from attending her graduation ceremony after expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments in her speech.
Some students have expressed concerns regarding the memo’s implications. Jayden Deskes, a Grade 12 student from Hamilton, participating in a protest against OSAP cuts outside Queen’s Park, voiced unease about potential restrictions on cultural expressions during graduation. Aowyn Savage, another Grade 12 student from Hamilton present at the protest, criticized the memo as stifling young voices and inhibiting political discourse.
Liezel Navarrete, a Grade 12 student at Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in Markham, described the memo’s message as “devastating,” suggesting it curtails students’ freedom to express significant viewpoints during graduation speeches. Martha Hradowy, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), criticized the letter as “out of touch,” emphasizing that teachers and education workers demonstrate professionalism daily in creating meaningful graduation ceremonies.
Dan MacLean, TDSB trustee for Ward 2 Etobicoke Centre, commented on the memo’s severity, highlighting that staff are already aware of their obligation to remain impartial and professional. He also noted that given recent changes to OSAP and student protests, the government may be more attentive to student perspectives.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) denounced the memo on social media, stating that it overlooks students’ real-life experiences. The memo’s release follows a new Ontario law granting the education minister expanded authority to intervene in school board affairs. Currently, eight school boards are under provincial supervision, as indicated on the provincial government’s website.