A coalition of local advocates and representatives convened in Hamilton on Tuesday to oppose the presence of police in schools and advocate for increased funding for public education. Andrea Vásquez Jiménez, the director of Policing-Free Schools, emphasized the need to prioritize school funding over policing within educational institutions. She criticized the Ford government for diverting resources away from addressing the underlying issues of violence, such as chronic underfunding of education.
The coalition, actively campaigning against police presence in schools, is engaging internationally to combat this issue, particularly in Ontario, where the provincial government has proposed a bill that could introduce police officers into public schools. The group has been advocating across Ontario, with Hamilton being the seventh stop on their campaign trail.
Bill 33, which underwent its second reading in June, seeks to mandate school boards to permit officers to work within schools, provided these programs are offered by local police services, starting in the upcoming school year. The potential elimination of trustees from school boards, as suggested by the Ontario minister, was also criticized by speakers at the event.
While the Ministry of Education did not respond to community concerns raised at the Policing-Free Schools news conference, it has defended the changes as measures to enhance student safety and success. The ministry highlighted the importance of school resource officers and cited the need for changes concerning trustees to address financial mismanagement issues within certain school boards.
In a significant move in June 2020, trustees from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board voted to terminate their police liaison program, citing a lack of conclusive evidence supporting its effectiveness in addressing school safety concerns. Conversely, the Catholic board in Hamilton chose to retain its program at that time.
During the news conference, former student trustee Ahona Mehdi shared her experiences participating in protests against police presence in schools, emphasizing the importance of the ongoing advocacy efforts. Current student trustee Sanand Bizanti criticized Bill 33, asserting that the focus should be on addressing classroom overcrowding and providing adequate support for students rather than increasing police presence.
Speakers highlighted reports indicating significant underfunding of Ontario schools and the need for substantial investments in school infrastructure. They emphasized the role of educators in supporting students and addressing behavioral issues through proper resources and staffing. The event also featured discussions on workplace violence in schools and the importance of community accountability through elected trustees.
Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen reported on the evolving relationship between the police service and the HWDSB, emphasizing collaboration and voluntary engagement between the two entities. Policing-Free Schools announced plans for a rally at Queen’s Park in Toronto on October 20 to further advocate for their cause.