New Legislation Promoting Student Safety In Effect As Of July 1
July 03 2024
Statutory amendments introduced in Bill 188, the Supporting Children’s Futures Act, which received Royal Assent in June, took effect as of July 1, 2024. The new law promotes student safety by requiring Ontario’s children’s aid organizations to provide information relevant to College investigations of allegations against Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs).
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of students is a shared responsibility among all school boards, and other agencies that support student well-being across the province,” said Diana Miles, Chair of Council, Ontario College of Teachers. “The new legislation will make it easier for all of us to work together while putting the interest of students above all others.”
The Supporting Children’s Futures Act, allows the College to work more collaboratively with children’s aid organizations and better respond to complaints and more quickly complete investigations by enabling College investigators to receive information from children’s aid organizations when it is relevant to a lawful law enforcement proceeding.
“Everything we do at the College connects back to student safety," said Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, Registrar & CEO, Ontario College of Teachers. "Child welfare agencies, and the important work they do, are often vital to our investigations. The new legislation further streamlines how we work together to protect students by holding OCTs accountable to professional standards.”
