By Tara Carman
Ontario is the only province in Canada that has a zero-tolerance school policy, or province-wide criteria for suspensions and expulsions. Here is a brief look at what other provinces are doing with regard to school safety.
British Columbia
B.C. has had a number of high-profile bullying incidents in its schools, most notably the swarming death of Reena Virk in Victoria in 1997. As a result, anti-bullying initiatives form the cornerstone of the province’s Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools program. One of the program’s stated goals is to break down the “culture of silence” that surrounds bullying. Emphasis is on protecting the anonymity of people who report dangerous behaviour, keeping records on all investigations of bullying, and making sure students understand that bystanders should report any bullying immediately. A 2003 task force report recommended leaving disciplinary measures to the discretion of local schools and boards of education.
Alberta
Alberta’s Safe and Caring Schools Initiative (SACS) was launched in 1996. The SACS philosophy is that non-violent values and behaviours must be taught and reinforced by the adults important in a child’s life. The provincial government funds research at several universities on behaviours disruptive to learning. Based on the SACS values, it funds workshops and the publication of guides, both for teachers. The Ottawa-Carleton board of education has integrated SACS principles into the Ontario curriculum.
Manitoba
Safe Schools Manitoba is a provincial program based on the recognition that schools are a vital part of their community and the safety of both depend on one another. A wide range of professionals and observers are represented on the Safe Schools Advisory Council, which addresses concerns about school and community safety. The council offers workshops on topics such as bullying or finding a balance between zero tolerance and more discretionary policies.
Nova Scotia
As in Ontario, the Tory party in Nova Scotia promised zero tolerance as part of its 1999 election platform. However, a committee of education experts recommended against zero tolerance in Nova Scotia schools.
“Research clearly shows that there is virtually no data to suggest that zero-tolerance policies reduce school violence,” said the committee’s report. The government listened, and as a result there are no mandatory suspensions or expulsions. Principals can suspend students for up to five days. The school board, on the recommendation of the principal, decides if a longer suspension is warranted, and parents have the right to appeal.
Newfoundland/Labrador
Newfoundland launched its Safe and Caring Schools Initiative in 2001, followed by a provincial forum on bullying in May 2002. The province also purchased teachers’ guidelines from British Columbia to combat bullying, which were adopted by all schools in the province. School boards in Newfoundland and Labrador write their own discipline guidelines.