Ontario takes over Peel District School Board and halts planned layoffs

Ontario's education minister has assumed control of the Peel District School Board and halted a planned layoff of 60 teachers; the board is under provincial supervision and has been given two weeks to respond.

Ontario's education minister announced an immediate takeover of the Peel District School Board and has stopped a planned layoff of 60 teachers. The move brings the total number of school boards under provincial supervision to seven. The government cited ongoing financial deficits and governance concerns as reasons for the intervention. The York Catholic District School Board has been put on notice and may face supervision if it does not address the province's concerns within 14 days. Key facts: - The minister assumed control of the Peel District School Board and halted the board's plan to lay off 60 teachers, which the province said would have affected about 1,400 students. - The province says Peel has run a deficit for five straight years and placed the board under supervision under powers in the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025. - The York Catholic District School Board has 14 days to respond to provincial concerns before the minister decides whether to take further action. Summary: The takeover stops a mid-year staffing change and places Peel under provincial supervision while the minister reviews governance and financial issues. The government will decide after the 14-day response period whether supervision will continue, and it has warned York Catholic District School Board that it faces a similar deadline.