Service animals may be allowed into Ontario schools

The provincial government is proposing legislation to allow service animals into Ontario schools and classrooms.

According to the province, today only 39 of 72 school boards across Ontario have policies in place to address the need for service animals in schools, leaving students vulnerable and parents facing challenges to support their child’s special needs.

Families of students with special needs deserve a clear and transparent process for requesting that service animals be able to accompany their children. Our government has proposed legislation to provide consistent, fair and transparent access to service animals in our schools. pic.twitter.com/Fe2LNxCXrl

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) October 30, 2018

The newly proposed amendment would provide guidance on service animals to school boards when developing their own policies to ensure families of students with special needs experience a fair and transparent process when requesting that their children be able to bring a service animal to school, said the province in a release.

The Ontario government has introduced proposed legislation to provide the right supports to help students with special needs achieve their learning goals. Learn more: https://t.co/3akVswIpKO pic.twitter.com/YKrOk9pYhz

— Education Ontario (@ONeducation) October 30, 2018

“Families of students with special needs deserve a clear and transparent process for requesting that service animals be able to accompany their children, no matter where they live,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education. “Every family in this province should feel supported when it comes to ensuring their child has access to a meaningful education.”

If the legislation is approved, the public will have the opportunity to provide input on the policy directive that would be issued to boards.

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