New OCDSB trustees will be sworn in November 16, but the oath gives them no governance powers
Ottawa Citizen reported the 12 OCDSB trustees-elect were invited to take an oath of allegiance November 16. Education Minister Paul Calandra says the oath does not restore their powers while the board is under provincial supervision.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on ottawacitizen.com.
The Ottawa Citizen reported Friday that the 12 newly elected OCDSB trustees were invited to take an oath of allegiance at the board office on November 16. Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra said the swearing-in does not restore their governance powers, Ottawa Citizen reported.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has been under provincial supervision since June 27, 2025. CTV Ottawa reported the province placed the board under supervision after four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year. Under supervision, Robert Plamondon holds full authority over the board's governance, including budgets, policies and operations. Trustees were locked out of their email accounts and devices when supervision began.
After being sworn in November 16, the new trustees will have no vote, no pay, and no access to board email, Ottawa Citizen reported. Their only formal role will be to forward inquiries to the board's chief executive officer. They will be subject to the board's code of conduct once sworn in.
Emily Quaile, elected trustee for Zone 4 (Bay/Kitchissippi), called the province's position overreach and said she is not afraid, Ottawa Citizen reported. Cathy Varrette, elected for Zone 12 (Beacon Hill-Cyrville/Orléans West-Innes), said she plans to hold unofficial town hall meetings so she can stay connected with her community, according to Ottawa Citizen.
There is no published timeline for when supervision might end. Ottawa Citizen reported the board's 2026-27 budget projects a $3.5 million deficit, down from a potential $18.5 million shortfall that the supervisor's financial plan helped avoid.
The OCDSB is Ottawa's largest school board, serving about 77,000 students at schools across the city.
Ottawa residents who voted for OCDSB trustees on October 26 can follow developments on the board's own site at ocdsb.ca, where agendas and meeting minutes are posted. Trustee pages for the newly elected OCDSB members are at voche.me, including pages for Emily Quaile and Cathy Varrette.
Questions this story answers
When will the new OCDSB trustees be sworn in?
Ottawa Citizen reported on November 6, 2026 that the 12 newly elected OCDSB trustees were invited to take an oath of allegiance at the board office on November 16, 2026. The oath will subject them to the board's code of conduct, Ottawa Citizen reported.
Why do the new OCDSB trustees have no powers after the election?
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has been under provincial supervision since June 27, 2025. CTV Ottawa reported that Ontario placed the board under supervision after four straight deficit budgets. Under supervision, the elected supervisor Robert Plamondon holds the powers that would normally belong to trustees. Ottawa Citizen reported that Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra said the November 16 swearing-in does not restore the trustees' governance powers.
What can the new OCDSB trustees actually do?
Ottawa Citizen reported that after being sworn in, the trustees will have no vote, no pay, no board email, and no official capacity. They will be able to forward inquiries to the board CEO. Trustee-elect Cathy Varrette said she plans to hold unofficial town hall meetings to stay connected with her community.
Who is running the OCDSB right now?
Robert Plamondon was appointed supervisor of the OCDSB on June 27, 2025 by Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra. As supervisor, Plamondon holds full authority over the board's governance, including budgets, policies and operations, according to CTV Ottawa.
What did trustee-elect Emily Quaile say about having no powers?
Ottawa Citizen reported that Emily Quaile, elected trustee for Zone 4 (Bay/Kitchissippi), called the province's decision to continue supervision after a democratic election overreach and said she is not afraid. Trustee-elect Cathy Varrette said she plans to hold unofficial town hall meetings.
What is the OCDSB's financial situation?
CTV Ottawa reported the OCDSB was placed under supervision after four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year. Ottawa Citizen reported the 2026-27 budget projects a $3.5 million deficit, down from an avoided $18.5 million deficit.
Where can Ottawa residents follow OCDSB decisions?
The OCDSB publishes board meeting agendas and minutes at ocdsb.ca/about-us/board-of-trustees/board-meetings. Trustee pages on this site are at the Ottawa promise tracker section at voche.me, including pages for Emily Quaile and Cathy Varrette.
Who appointed the supervisor of the OCDSB and why?
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra appointed Robert Plamondon as OCDSB supervisor on June 27, 2025. CTV Ottawa reported the province acted after four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year. PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted a financial investigation and recommended supervision.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Ottawa Citizen: Why new OCDSB trustees will be sworn in despite having no powers, Natasha Baldin, November 6, 2026ottawacitizen.com
- CTV Ottawa: OCDSB under provincial supervision on first day of new school year, September 2025ctvnews.ca
- OCDSB: Minister of Education appoints Supervisor, June 27, 2025ocdsb.ca
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