Imagine a world without expression. Without imagination. Without art. 

That’s the future we face without film.

It’s all about the story is a line that has become something of a motto for Film Arts students. Film Arts is one of 5 majors in the Claude Watson Arts program at Earl Haig Secondary School. Students are challenged to think critically and creatively to produce original short films that consistently win awards and gain recognition. Many alumni of the program have gone on to have successful careers in the film & television industry. 

But the story is coming to an end.

The CW Arts program is usually allowed 125 spots for new students each year. The Toronto District School Board has cut this to 100 for the 2025/2026 school year, claiming that there has been "inconsistent enrollment" over the past several years. However, the "inconsistent enrollment" they are referring to is a direct result of the flawed admission policies that the TDSB has mandated for the program, including a lottery-based admission system and the de-streaming of the application process, meaning that students who applied for Film Arts for the 2024/2025 school year were competing for spots with applicants for other majors in the program.

This has resulted in only nine grade 9 students being accepted into Film Arts for the 2024/2025 school year, despite there being HUNDREDS of students who applied. The TDSB is trying to pass off their flawed policies as a decrease in interest, and as a result has taken away 25 spots for incoming students, forcing one major to be cut from the program. The school decided it would be Film Arts. This is not a budget issue. There is no excuse for this cut.

The TDSB claims to promote student leadership, technological literacy, critical thinking, and student voice. Students in the Claude Watson Film Arts program are challenged in each of these areas every day, yet the Board seems to have no problems with abandoning these values at the drop of a hat, for seemingly no reason.

It’s time to show the TDSB that cutting the arts is not okay.

If you would like to know more about our cause, please visit our website at savefilmarts.com or send us an email at ehssfilm@gmail.com.

Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE: After signing the petition, you may be asked to donate money. We strongly urge you NOT to make any donations, as these donations do not go towards supporting our cause, but instead go to the platform used to operate the petition.

--

DISCLAIMER: This petition, as well as the email address mentioned above are set up, operated, and monitored solely by the students of the Claude Watson Film Arts program at Earl Haig Secondary School. They are in no way affiliated with any teachers, administrators, or other staff members associated with the above mentioned school or program.