Student Violence May Form Basis for a Teacher’s Lawful Work Refusal

A recent Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) decision found that two teachers engaged in a lawful work refusal when they refused to return to work following a classroom incident where a student engaged in a violent episode against another staff member. In Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association v Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, three teachers…

Extended Day and Third Party Program Regulation Filed Under the Education Act

On May 9, 2016, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 129/16 made under the Education Act. O. Reg. 129/16 amends O. Reg. 221/11 (Extended Day and Third Party Programs) and is the supporting regulation to amendments made to the Education Act by the Child Care Modernization Act, 2014. Those amendments set out requirements for a…

Legislation Expanding Ombudsman Jurisdiction to Municipalities, Universities and School Boards Now In Force

On January 1, 2016, provisions of Schedule 9 of the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014 came into force. These provisions amend the Ombudsman Act (“Act“) to expand the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate matters related to publicly-funded universities and municipal sector entities (defined as municipalities, local boards and municipally-controlled corporations). On September 1, 2015, provisions…

Hiring Practices Regulation under Education Act Amended

On December 3, 2015, O. Reg 376/15, amending O. Reg. 274/12 (Hiring Practices) made under the Education Act, was filed. The amendments, which are technical in nature, relate to the hiring practices for long-term occasional (“LTO”) teachers represented by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (“OECTA”). Among other things, the amendments specify timing requirements for the application and interview…