The Ontario government’s anti-bullying legislation is on its way to becoming law, making it clear that sexual assault, gender-based violence, homophobia and transphobia will not be tolerated in the province’s public schools. While the law comes too late to save the lives of 15-year-old Jamie Hubley and 11-year-old Mitchell Wilson, it is hoped to help prevent similar suicides among LGBTQ youth.
The Accepting Schools Act, known as Bill 13, passed third and final reading on Tuesday, June 5. It was the first bill to pass since the Liberals won a minority in last October’s provincial election. Moved by Liberal MPP Laurel Broten (Etobicoke-Lakeshore), the Bill received the full support of the NDP but was opposed by all 36 Progressive Conservative MPPs.
Expected to receive Royal Assent later in June, the Bill will amend the province’s Education Act and apply to every school, whether public or Catholic. The intent of the bill is not just to discipline schoolyard bullies, but to spot and correct bad behaviour before it escalates. The Bill, which also requires schools to recognize the student clubs, commonly named “Gay Straight Alliances,” was strongly supported by all three teachers’ unions: ETFO, OSSTF and OECTA.
“Providing safe, inclusive environments and eliminating bullying wherever we can is paramount,” said OECTA president Kevin O’Dwyer. “The reality is, this isn’t about the adults – it is about the students – and we need to empower the students who are a key part of this equation.”
The OFL joined the teachers’ unions and community partners in supporting the MyGSA coalition to champion the Bill in response to a survey of high school students published by the EGALE Human Rights Trust in 2009 that showed that three-quarters of LGBTQ students feel unsafe in at least one place at school. The study also found that almost 90 percent of transgender students feel unsafe. This report provided a frightening back story to the alarming rates of depression and suicide within the LGBTQ community.
