Ontario government plans to delay swearing-in of elected Toronto school board trustees
The province will not swear in newly elected trustees at the TDSB and TCDSB right after the October 26 vote, according to a source with the provincial government.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on toronto.citynews.ca.
The Ontario Ministry of Education plans to delay swearing in newly elected school board trustees at the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board after the October 26 vote, CityNews Toronto reported on Tuesday, citing a source with the provincial government.
Both the TDSB and the TCDSB are among five GTA school boards currently under provincial supervision. The Ontario government placed them there over what it called unsustainable deficits and failure to implement cost-saving measures.
Under a proposed regulatory change, the first post-election meeting of a newly elected board under supervision would not follow the normal seven-day rule. Instead, the Minister of Education or the appointed supervisor would choose when to schedule the meeting, which is when new trustees would be sworn in. CityNews Toronto reported that newly elected trustees would take their seats but would not assume governance responsibilities until that meeting was called. For Catholic boards, trustees could still handle denominational matters.
No date was given for when the minister would call the first meeting. The Ministry of Education did not provide a comment to CityNews Toronto by the time of publication.
What critics said
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles told CityNews Toronto the change sends a message that the province does not respect election results. "What it says to the people of Ontario is we don't care how you vote, we don't care what you think, we're just going to do whatever we want to do, anyways, as the Government of Ontario," Stiles said.
Sara Blumenstein, a parent administrator with the Toronto Education Advocacy Network, told CityNews Toronto she found it alarming that newly elected trustees might not be sworn in on the normal schedule. She said the rule is straightforward: hold a meeting and swear in the new trustees within seven days of the new term. "It is telling me that as a voter, my vote doesn't count," she told CityNews Toronto.
What this means for October 26 voters
Toronto voters choose school board trustees on October 26, the same day as the mayoral and city council races. Voters enrolled in the public school system elect TDSB trustees; those enrolled in the Catholic system elect TCDSB trustees; and French-language school supporters vote for Conseil scolaire Viamonde or Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir trustees.
If you are registered to vote for a TDSB or TCDSB trustee on October 26, you can find your ward, the candidates in your ward, and your voting place at the City of Toronto's election website.
Questions this story answers
Why would the province delay the swearing-in of elected trustees?
The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board are among five GTA school boards under provincial supervision. The Ontario government placed them under supervision citing financial concerns, including what it called unsustainable deficits and failure to implement cost-saving measures. A proposed regulatory change would let the Minister of Education, or the appointed supervisor, decide when to hold the first post-election meeting, instead of the normal rule that requires a meeting within seven days. CityNews Toronto reported this on October 20, 2026, citing a source with the provincial government.
What happens to trustees who are elected if they are not sworn in right away?
According to CityNews Toronto, newly elected trustees would replace outgoing trustees but would not take on governance responsibilities until the minister schedules the first meeting. The normal seven-day rule requires the board to hold its first meeting and swear in new trustees within one week of the start of a new term. Under the proposed change, that timing moves to the minister's discretion. For Catholic school boards, trustees would still handle denominational matters.
Which school boards does this affect in Toronto?
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) are both affected. They are two of five GTA school boards currently under provincial supervision. Voters in Toronto elect TDSB and TCDSB trustees on October 26, the same day as the municipal election for mayor and city councillors.
What did the Ontario NDP say about the delay?
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles told CityNews Toronto: 'What it says to the people of Ontario is we don't care how you vote, we don't care what you think, we're just going to do whatever we want to do, anyways, as the Government of Ontario.' She also said the Education Minister 'wants to play at being the emperor of education, and he provides no information whatsoever to the people who actually do the work.'
What did parent advocates say?
Sara Blumenstein, a parent administrator with the Toronto Education Advocacy Network, told CityNews Toronto she found it alarming that trustees elected on October 26 might not be sworn in on the normal schedule. She said the rule is straightforward: the board holds its first meeting and swears in new trustees within seven days of the new term starting. 'It is telling me that as a voter, my vote doesn't count,' she told CityNews Toronto.
When do school board trustee elections happen in Toronto?
Toronto school board trustee elections are held on October 26, 2026, the same day as the election for mayor and city councillors. Voters choose trustees for the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, depending on which school system they are eligible to vote in.
Has the province officially announced this change?
As of October 20, 2026, this is based on a source with the provincial government, as reported by CityNews Toronto. No official announcement from the Ministry of Education was published. CityNews Toronto named the Education Minister as Paul Calandra but did not include a quote from him or the ministry.
Where can I find information about voting for school board trustees on October 26?
Toronto's City Clerk's office runs the municipal election, including the school board trustee races. You can find the candidate list, ward boundaries, and your voting place on the City of Toronto's election website. Voting day is October 26, 2026. Polls are open until 8 pm. If you are not sure which school system you are registered in, the City's election website has a tool to look up your ward and confirm which trustee race you are eligible to vote in.
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