Toronto Sun political columnist Brian Lilley talks  (December 5, 2025) with Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra about the future of education in Ontario.

Have a listen...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtjUV7N2FH0 

Especially at the  18:23 mark when the question is asked about the future of trustees and the role of democracy at the education level. 

The Minister responds at 18:56 "...There is literally nothing that leads me to believe that continuing on with school trustees to deliver..."

Our public-school trustee structure, through the local voice, has stood the test of time since 1841… nearly 185 years. 

Nova Scotia decided to abolish elected school board trustees in 2018. This solution was a dismal failure, resulting in continually escalating problems. Eliminating trustees has had the impact of centralizing power in the provincial government, which removed local democratic input and sparked continual criticism. By 2023, there was a significant movement to restore local elected boards, resulting in legislation being introduced to bring them back.  

Faced with similar challenges with governance in education, the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have taken a positive, proactive approach of enhancing the role of elected trustees, which has strengthened accountability, equity, and student success.  

Sign the petition...send the link to others...https://www.change.org/CitizensAdvocatingforDemocracyinEducation-Ontario