May 13th, 2026 

Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Education 

CC: Chandra Pasma, Ontario NDP Education Critic 
John Fraser, Ontario Liberal Education Critic 
Aislinn Clancy, Ontario Green Party Education Critic 

RE: Student Voice on Bill 101 

Ontario’s education system stands at a moment of transformation, and with the arrival of Bill 101 this is true more than ever. In this moment of transformation, OSTA-AECO is strongly committed to student success and putting student achievement first. We believe that it is possible to continue to develop our education system into one that is accepting, accommodating, and motivating through students, educators, and policymakers working together. While Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026 recognizes some of the issues Ontario students are facing, it provides band-aid solutions to deep, recurring issues. 

As correctly outlined by the provincial government, attendance is a pressing issue that affects school communities. Attendance is important to student success, encouraging values of timeliness and responsibility. However, punishing absenteeism with direct consequences on marks is a quick solution that does not recognize its root causes. Many students across this province, particularly those in rural and Northern communities, are unable to easily get to school due to a lack of adequate and safe transportation, especially during many months of the school year with unsafe weather conditions. This proposed solution disproportionately affects those who are underprivileged, sick, in need of supports, or are struggling at home. By significantly reducing the number of marks allocated in final grades for attendance and providing clear conditions of permitted excused absences, it would ensure an important balance of rewarding student success through participation and course knowledge. 

Student trustees sit on the Board of Trustees and are the democratically elected representatives of the people primarily affected by education policies. Student trustees enhance accountability and transparency within boards, a value in which the Ministry of Education seeks. In Section 17.3 (11) of the Bill, it states that student trustees are not included in the range of five to twelve trustees which are allowed per board. To ensure that students continue to provide an accountable voice, we recommend that student trustees be explicitly stated in regulation as members of the Board of Trustees to ensure greater clarity. 

Putting student achievement first means creating a better balance in marking to reward true students’ success. Putting student achievement first means protecting and safeguarding the role of student trustees. Putting student achievement first means ensuring when standardized learning materials are created, students and educators are actively present to ensure we have materials that reflect today’s Ontario. Student achievement only happens when students are consulted and actively listened to.  

As the official student stakeholder of the Ministry of Education, we commit to working with the Ministry and education leaders to ensure that students can thrive in Ontario. We look forward to hearing back from the Minister and having conversations with him and policymakers to ensure students are present in the creation of regulations.

Thank you for your attention and consideration. 

Sincerely, 
Carter Peios 
President of OSTA-AECO