Every Board in Ontario is required to prevent and address inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour such as bullying among students in the schools. Boards have a long list of responsibilities for bullying prevention, including developing a bullying prevention and intervention plan for the schools of the Board.1 They are required to publish the plan, 2 conduct bi-annual school climate surveys3, ensure third parties using their property comply with the Code of Conduct 4 and provide all staff with relevant professional development. 5 In addition, their responsibility to students includes providing programs, interventions or other supports for students who have been bullied, have witnessed incidents of bullying and who have engaged in bullying. 6 Boards are prohibited from interfering if one or more students wish to form a group at their school to raise awareness and understanding of all students on topics such as: anti-racism; people with disabilities; gender equity; sexual orientation and gender identity.7 Boards cannot prevent students from using the name Gay-Straight Alliances or another name that the students may choose for these groups.8
1. Ibid., ss.303.1
2. Ibid., ss.303.3(4)
3. Ibid., ss.169.1 (2.1)
4. Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., ss.301(3.1).
5. Ibid., ss.170 (1)(7.1).
6. Ibid., ss.170 (1)(7.2).
7. Ibid., ss.303.1(1).
8. Ibid., ss.303.1(2).