Ford government warns schools to watch ‘political bias’ ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary

Nearly a year after the Hamas attack on Israel, which sent shockwaves through the Middle East and ignited a conflict that continues to impact global dynamics, the Ontario government has issued firm guidelines to school boards regarding how to observe the anniversary of October 7.

A memo sent to school boards, obtained by Global News, highlights the government's intention to closely monitor how educators address the upcoming anniversary and how they handle the growing issue of intolerance.

“As we approach one year since the October 7th attack, we ask all school boards across the province to uphold this principle and be vigilant in ensuring classrooms remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all students and staff,” wrote Minister of Education Jill Dunlop in the memo.

The memo emphasizes the importance of focusing on education and includes a clear directive regarding the minister’s “expectation” for how global events should be discussed in classrooms.

“Our schools and school-related activities should never be used as vehicles for political protests that enable inflammatory, discriminatory, and hateful content,” Dunlop stated. “While everyone is entitled to their own political opinions, they are not entitled to disseminate political biases into our classroom.”

The release of this memo follows controversy at the Toronto District School Board over a class trip that has come under scrutiny.

Ontario’s education minister has called for an investigation into a field trip that led students to participate in a downtown protest, sparking debate.

Dunlop has requested an inquiry into last Wednesday’s field trip to an event supporting Grassy Narrows First Nation, while the TDSB has also launched its own investigation.

However, some parents and groups voiced concerns, arguing that the trip shifted away from education and toward activism.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the school board for the incident, accusing certain educators of attempting to “indoctrinate” students. “I think it’s disgraceful — you’re trying to indoctrinate our kids,” he stated, alleging the protest was, in reality, a “Palestine rally” in Toronto.

Dunlop’s memo, issued on Thursday, also referenced a “distressing rise in intolerance, racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia across Ontario, including our schools” and urged boards to create “safe spaces for students and staff.”

“I expect that every school board will hold itself accountable to the highest standards under Ontario’s Code of Conduct and govern with respect, civility, and responsible citizenship to ensure schools are free of discrimination and harassment in every corner of the province,” the memo concluded.