Articles

This is a special edition of the Education Law Section’s newsletter, focused primarily on the passage of Bill 115, Putting Students First Act, 2012, which came into force on September 11, 2012.

Universities are often challenged by the need to accommodate students with medical conditions. However, the balance between maintaining legitimate academic standards and treating a student fairly by accommodating for medical conditions is sometimes hard to achieve.

On May 31, 2012 the Education Law Section was honoured to have the Minister of Education, Laure Broten, present at the final dinner meeting of the year. Minister Broten’s speech asked the question ‘Is Ontario’s Education Act ready for the 21st century?’

As of May 3, 2012, Bill 13, Accepting Schools Act, 2011, has passed second reading and referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Bill 14, the Anti-Bullying Act, 2012, a parallel private member's bill, was ordered re instated at the Standing Committee on Social Policy...

The Ontario Bar Association Institute 2012 offered a session in Education Law on the subject of key issues relating to the globalization of education. Program chairs Lai-King Hum, Harris Rosen and Alan Wolfish facilitated a morning full of thought provoking panelists.

Concussions, their causes, signs, symptoms, and proper treatment have become top of mind in the last year, due in part to the media attention following Sidney Crosby’s temporary hiatus from the NHL as a result of concussions he has suffered.

"Everyone – students, parents, teachers, coaches and volunteers – has a role to play to help prevent and manage concussions. To ensure our students succeed, we all need to be aware of how to prevent and identify a possible concussion."

As my term as Chair of the Education Law section nears its end, I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for the honour of having presided over this section.

On November 17, 2011, the OBA Education Section delved into the topic of accommodating students with disabilities in secondary and post-secondary institutions.

Une décision récente du Tribunal des droits de la personne se veut un sérieux rappel que des commentaires inopportuns mettant à l’évidence des stéréotypes dans le cadre d’une audition peuvent mener le Tribunal à conclure qu’il y a eu violation du Code des droits de la personne.