The Big Story What's the Ford government's long game with the school board takeovers?
Feb 20, 2026
Colin Matthew, vice-president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, speaks on impacts to teachers, students and local schools. Richard Southern, Queen's Park reporter for 680 NewsRadio, breaks down provincial powers, Bill 33 and political motives. They discuss alleged financial mismanagement, supervisors running boards, possible land and funding strategies, and effects on local democracy and school services.
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Local Democracy Under Strain
- Local communities feel disenfranchised when elected trustees are removed, losing direct accountability and local knowledge.
- Parents and teachers report frustration that decisions now come from Queen's Park or anonymous bureaucratic channels.
Funding Shortfalls Drive Problems
- Critics argue the underlying problem is province-wide funding shortfalls, not just board mismanagement.
- Real-terms per-student funding has declined since 2018 despite government claims of record education investment.
Government Prioritizes Trades And STEM
- The Ford government prioritizes trades and STEM while criticizing liberal arts and non-core programs.
- Policy shifts include OSAP changes and messaging that steer students toward perceived 'useful' streams.