Parents and Educators Oppose Police Presence in Schools

A coalition of parents and educators in Ontario is opposing Bill 33—the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025—which could mandate the presence of police in public schools as early as next year. The bill, which has passed its second reading, directs school boards to collaborate with local police services, granting access to school premises and enabling the implementation of School Resource Officer (SRO) programs where applicable.

Additionally, the legislation gives the education ministry the authority to place school boards under supervision.

After the bill’s advancement, a group of parents and teachers protested in the rain outside Queen’s Park on Thursday, advocating for increased investments in student support services instead.

“This is about control and surveillance,” stated Sabreina Dahab, a trustee for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. “We will fight to build an education system rooted in care and dignity.” Dahab’s school board revoked police access to schools in 2020, citing similar concerns.

Critics argue that the SRO program disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and marginalized students. Robyn Maynard, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, cautioned that the program criminalizes youth for behaviors that could be more effectively addressed through school discipline. “Removing police from schools was a crucial step forward for racial justice,” she explained.

The Toronto District School Board suspended its SRO program in 2017 following student reports of trauma and fear associated with police presence on school grounds.

Despite this, the Toronto Police Association supports the bill. President Clayton Campbell defended the former SRO program, claiming it was successful in diverting youth from crime.

“This is about making schools safer,” he said, adding that previous cancellations were influenced by a “very vocal group of advocates.”

As the bill progresses, the debate surrounding it is expected to intensify.