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Parties pitch competing anti-bully bills

Teresa Latchford

November 30, 2011

If you’re a schoolyard bully, you could be expelled under proposed legislation.
The Ontario Liberals today announced tough new anti-bullying legislation intended to make schools safer and more accepting places in which to learn.= The bill includes tougher consequences for bullying and hate-motivated actions, including expulsion. It also requires schools to support any student who wa= nts to lead activities that promote understanding, acceptance and respect for a= ll students.
York Region Anti-Bullying Coalition founder and president Karen Sebben welc= omes the proposal, saying it is long overdue.
“I hope this sets a precedent and other provinces come on board so the matter can be recognized at the federal level as well,” she said.
The York Region District School Board is reviewing the legislation and comparing it to its existing Safe, Caring and Supportive Schools policy, bo= ard spokesperson Licinio Miguelo said.
“It may or may not impact our current policy,” he added. “= ;We are taking it seriously (and) will take the time to review it and will make= any changes necessary to comply.”
Newmarket-Aurora MPP= Frank Klees, who has spoken out about principals having the power to decide wheth= er or not to report bullying to the board, said any official recognition bully= ing is a serious issue is welcome. However, he hopes this legislation won’= ;t just be more lip service.
“We have seen programs implemented without the resources needed and inconsistency across school boards,” he said. “I just hope the province follows through.”
His party plans to table a private member’s bill that deals with balancing the supports, such as counselling offered to both the perpetrator= and the victim.
“In the past, the victim has been forgotten,” he said. “We want to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Ms Sebben is excited about some of the provisions in the Progressive Conservatives’ bill — notably that it would officially define bullying in the Education Act, remove some of the discretionary powers give= n to principals when it comes to discipline and ensure strict guidelines surroun= ding reporting incidents.
“The more reporting we have, the more data there will be per school board,” she said. “It will give us a clear vision into what pro= grams are working and what aren’t when it comes to finding a solution, so o= ur children can stop hurting themselves and others.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Klees isn’t the only critic of the Liberals’ proposed legislation.
Expelling bullies from school isn’t the answer, as it won’t sol= ve the problem, Queen’s University psychology professor Wendy Craig said= .
“When a child has a problem in math, we do not throw them out of math class,” she said. “We give them extra support to help them learn how to acquire the math skills.”
The solution should be more focused on developing relationship skills and social understanding while providing support, education and counselling to victims, she added.
Ms Sebben agrees with the professor’s concept, believing remedial measures, not punishment, is the solution.
The York Catholic District School Board is also reviewing the document, a spokesperson said.

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