Ontario Confirms Average Full-Day Kindergarten Class Size

On March 2, 2012, the Ontario government filed important new amendments to the class size regulation under the Education Act for full-day junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes. The amendments, which come into force on September 1, 2012, are intended to assist school boards which have kindergarten class size maxima in their teachers’ collective agreements that…

Section 21 of Ontario’s Early Learning Legislation Now Into Force

The amendments outlined in section 21 of Bill 242, the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Amendment Act, 2010, were proclaimed in force effective August 16, 2010. Section 21 adds PART X.3 (Designated Early Childhood Educators – Induction, Performance Appraisal and Reporting Obligations) to the Education Act (sections 277.46 to 277.52). As previously reported, the amendments outlined…

New Full-Day Learning, ECE Appointment Regulations Filed

On August 18, 2010, the Ontario government published the following regulation and regulatory amendments under the Education Act: O. Reg. 321/10 (Extended Day Programs), amending O. Reg. 225/10, which in part provides for board approval of delegation by a principal and the appointment of Early Childhood Educators (“ECEs”); O. Reg. 322/10 (Letter of Permission –…

School Board Update – Bill 242 Carried at Third Reading

On April 27, 2010, Bill 242 (the legislation associated with the Government’s Early Learning Program, or “ELP”) carried at Third Reading. It is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly, and will come into force on a date to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor. Bill 242 was considered by the Standing Committee on…

School Board Update – Provincial Interest Regulation Now In Effect

Overview of the PIR The Ministry of Education filed its long-awaited Provincial Interest Regulation (PIR) on February 26, 2010 and the PIR is now in effect. It is intended to strengthen the accountability of school boards for student achievement and well-being. Most notably, the PIR allows the Minister of Education to intervene in the affairs…

School Board Update – Bill 242, The Full Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act: The Legal Framework for the Early Learning Program

In our January 12, 2010 School Board Client Update, we discussed the Early Learning Program (“ELP”), which is the government’s plan to implement full day early learning for four- and five-year-olds in Ontario. On February 17, 2010, the government introduced Bill 242, the Full-Day Early Learning Statute Law Amendment Act, 2010, which amends provisions of…

School Board Update – Ontario’s 2010 Early Learning Program: Bracing for the Fallout

When was the last time your Board was involved in the legal “ins and outs” of a hotly contested certification drive before the Ontario Labour Relations Board? Ontario’s newly announced Early Learning Program could well provide you with an opportunity in the coming year. In this School Board Update, we discuss the ramifications and new…