Should Police Officers Be Required in Ontario Schools?

Official title: Proposal for regulations under the Education Act, related to school boards and local police services

Closed Regulations & Permits Education Justice & Rights
Ontario wants to require school boards to let police into schools for safety programs, career days, and other events. The province also wants every board to set up a School Resource Officer program through a formal agreement with local police. This follows Bill 33, which passed in November 2025.

Why This Matters

Have kids in Ontario schools? Police could soon be a regular presence at their school events, from career days to fundraisers. Parents and students would need to be consulted on how these programs work in their community. Some families welcome this for safety reasons. Others worry about the impact on students who've had negative experiences with police.

What Could Change

School boards would have to let police participate in safety drills, mentorship programs, and community events. They couldn't refuse police access or require approval of police materials. Every board would need a formal agreement with local police for a School Resource Officer program. Officers could attend in uniform or plainclothes.

Key Issues

  • Should school boards be required to give police access to schools for safety programs and events?
  • Should every school board be required to implement a School Resource Officer program?
  • Should police be allowed to attend school events in plainclothes as well as in uniform?
  • How should parents and students be involved in implementing these programs?

How to Participate

  1. Read the proposal details on this consultation page to understand what's being proposed.
  2. Submit your feedback using the Comment on this proposal form by the deadline.