Increase in school violence observed by 77% since Ford Government assumed office in 2018.
On August 18, 2025, the Ontario NDP has announced an Emergency Plan to End School Violence, expressing concern about the return to school in light of a reported increase in school violence.
According to Global News, there has been a 77% increase in school violence since 2018, with over 4,400 incidents last year. This concerning trend has been a focus of the plan, which aims to provide a safe place for children to learn by addressing the crisis of violence in schools.
The plan, presented by Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles, includes several key measures. A permanent provincial health and safety working group will be established to review and adapt current policies regarding workplace violence in the education sector. This group will work towards creating a sector-specific regulation for education under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
In addition, the plan includes funding to hire additional qualified staff, including mental health professionals, education assistants, child and youth workers, and other education workers. These professionals will play a crucial role in supporting students' mental health, a priority area for the plan. The plan also takes into account the needs of special needs students.
Teachers, tasked with managing unruly students and delivering the curriculum, will receive comprehensive training as part of the plan. This training is intended to equip them with the necessary skills to handle difficult situations and maintain a safe learning environment.
The plan also includes a single province-wide online reporting system for violent incidents and data collection. This system will provide a centralised platform for reporting and analysing incidents of school violence, helping to identify trends and areas for improvement.
The Ontario NDP suggests that the increase in school violence is due to Doug Ford's cuts to education. The Ford Government, elected in 2018, has not yet responded to the NDP's call to implement the Emergency Plan to End School Violence.
As parents approach the time for return to school shopping, they may find solace in the NDP's commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for their children. Students will soon return to their daily school routine, and the Ontario NDP is working to make sure that routine is one filled with learning and growth, free from the fear of violence.
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