Waterloo MPP responds to education minister’s plans to cut trustees
Posted Sep 17, 2025 07:46:08 AM.
Last Updated Sep 17, 2025 10:37:42 AM.
Ontario’s minister of education has threatened to cut the role of school board trustees, prompting a response from a local politician who believes their role is vital in public education.
Minister of Education Paul Calandra has threatened to eliminate the role of trustees across the province entirely by the end of the year. According to Calandra, the supervisors he appointed at the Toronto Catholic District School Board back in June unearthed some spending of board funds by trustees.
School board trustees are elected officials who serve as representatives of the community in public education decision-making. In Waterloo Region, trustees are appointed to the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).
“The language that the minister of education has used is very dangerous,” said Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife. “Ultimately, trustees provide advocacy for parents. They’re one of the longest-serving, democratically elected bodies of government.”
Fife has been a vocal advocate for public schools and spoke at Elizabeth Ziegler Public School on Monday, addressing the state of disrepair many local schools find themselves in because of a lack of funding.
“They want to continue to use other levels of government as scapegoats for their own incompetence. When you follow the money, trustees have been spreading a small amount of money as far as they can.”
Calandra has reportedly demanded the return of nearly $7,000 worth of personal electronics and other items, which he claims were purchased with taxpayers’ money by trustees at the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
“We’re just trying to hold the government to account because they don’t want to be held accountable. It’s a sad state of affairs. We believe very much in public education in this riding and this region, and we know it’s worth fighting for.”
The public school board responded to the ongoing discussions revolving around school board trustees in a statement to 570 NewsRadio.
“The Waterloo Region District School Board values the role that elected Trustees play in supporting public education and student achievement,” said Scott Miller, director of education for the WRDSB. “We remain committed to working collaboratively with WRDSB Trustees as partners in education with the goal of advancing student achievement, well-being, and equity across the WRDSB.”
More in education
