OntarioPassed44th Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 101 explained in plain English

Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026

Education & Skills Social Services & Income Support

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

How This Type of Bill Becomes Law Official source

At a glance

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Legislature / Parliament

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Session

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Bill number

Bill 101

Full title

Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026

Current status

Passed

Latest event

Royal Assent received

Last updated

May 7, 2026

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 44th Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Current Stage

Royal Assent received

Latest Activity

May 7, 2026

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Plain-language explanation

In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing

Short Version

The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026 amends various Ontario laws to grant the Minister of Education expanded powers, reform school board operations and collective bargaining, and update regulations for education and child care services.

What It Means

This Act, titled the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, makes several amendments to various Ontario laws related to education and child care. It updates regulations concerning child care services, the Education Act, the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, the Ontario College of Teachers Act, and the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act. Key changes include new powers for the Minister of Education regarding support for child care operators and the assignment of education numbers, expanded authority for the Minister in establishing policies on student achievement assessment, board expenses, educational materials, and public communications. It also modifies rules around board-controlled entities, the number of members on district school boards, and the acquisition and use of school sites and buildings. The Act introduces new provisions regarding Crown liability and the management of school board finances, particularly when a board is under a vesting order. It also changes the structure of employer bargaining agencies in school board collective bargaining, transferring this role from the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association and the Ontario Public School Boards' Association to the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE). Furthermore, it modifies rules for French-language rights holder groups in dispute resolution processes and makes changes to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, leading to its dissolution. The Ontario College of Teachers Act is amended to clarify accreditation processes, and the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act sees its terminology updated from 'trustees' association' to 'employers' association'.

What This Bill Does

Amends the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 to provide the Minister with additional powers to support child care operators and assign Ontario education numbers to children.
Amends the Education Act to grant the Minister of Education new powers to establish policies on student achievement assessment, board expenses, educational materials, and public communications.
Modifies regulations regarding school board-controlled entities, the number of members on district school boards, and the acquisition and use of school sites and buildings.
Introduces new provisions regarding the Minister's authority to manage school board finances and direct actions when a board is non-compliant or under a vesting order.
Changes the structure of employer bargaining agencies in school board collective bargaining, designating the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) as the primary agency.
Updates dispute resolution processes for French-language rights holder groups, shifting roles from the Languages of Instruction Commission of Ontario to the Minister.
Amends the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005, leading to the Council's winding up and dissolution.
Modifies the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, to clarify accreditation regulations for teacher education programs.
Revises the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014, to change 'trustees' association' to 'employers' association' and establish new roles and processes for the CODE as an employer bargaining agency.
Includes consequential amendments to other Acts, such as the Education Act and the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996.

Who Is Affected

Students
Parents and guardians
Operators of child care and early years programs
Service system managers for child care and early years programs
School boards (English-language public and separate district school boards, and boards established under section 68 of the Education Act)
Ministers of the Crown (specifically the Minister of Education)
Members of the Legislative Assembly
Employees and officers of the Crown and school boards
Members of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Teachers and the Ontario College of Teachers
Employers' associations (formerly trustees' associations)
The Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE)
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA)
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA)
French-language rights holder groups
Mediators involved in dispute resolution
Individuals involved in construction or repair projects for school buildings

Rights, Duties, Or Obligations

School boards must comply with policies and guidelines established by the Minister regarding student achievement assessment, board expenses, educational materials, and public communications.
School boards require ministerial approval to acquire school sites or other land, and a new process for requesting and responding to such requests is established.
School boards must obtain the Minister's approval or confirmation before establishing or continuing to operate school board controlled entities.
The Minister can direct or appoint a person or body to manage building projects for school boards if the board is non-compliant, and the board must co-operate and pay associated fees and expenses.
When a board is subject to a vesting order, the Minister can exercise the board's powers to manage its finances, enter into agreements, and issue financial instruments.
The CODE is now the employer bargaining agency for designated school boards, with a committee to oversee its activities.
French-language rights holder groups may refer disputes to the Minister, who will then select mediators or take no further action.
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has the right to observe central bargaining and can apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board if it believes denominational rights are prejudicially affected.
English-language district school boards cannot dismiss their director of education without prior written approval from the Minister.

Important Dates

The Act received Royal Assent on May 7, 2026.
Most provisions of the Act came into force on the day it received Royal Assent.
Some provisions within specific Schedules come into force on a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Financial Or Tax Impacts

The Minister can require school boards to pay fees and expenses incurred by a person or body appointed to manage building projects.
The Minister may, by regulation, require English-language separate district school boards to pay fees to the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association.
The Act amends regulations concerning the disclosure of public sector salaries.

Enforcement Or Penalties

If a board does not comply with ministerial policies or regulations regarding building projects, the Minister can issue directions or make orders appointing a third party to take control of the management of the project.
If a school authority does not implement the Minister's recommendation regarding a French-language rights dispute, the Minister can make an order or take other action.
If a school board fails to resolve a dispute according to the Minister's recommendation, the Minister can issue an order to the school authority.

Uncertainties Or Limits

The specific 'prescribed time period' for the Minister to respond to a request for approval to acquire or expropriate land is not detailed in the bill text.
The specific 'prescribed educational or training institution' for assigning Ontario education numbers is not detailed in the bill text.
The exact 'matters referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection (10)' that regulations may provide for regarding OCSTA fees are not fully elaborated.
The specific 'circumstances' or 'conditions' under which the Minister's approval of board estimates is required are not fully detailed.
The specific 'prescribed provisions' under which the director of education of an English-language district school board is deemed not to be a member of the board are not detailed.
The specific 'circumstances' for which leave of the Minister is not required for proceedings against a board are not detailed.
The specific 'prescribed time period' for the Minister to respond to requests for approval to acquire or expropriate land is not specified in the provided text.
The 'prescribed circumstances' for requiring a board to obtain the Minister's approval of its estimates are not detailed.
The exact 'prescribed provisions' for which the director of education is deemed not to be a member of the board are not detailed.
The specific 'prescribed entities' that co-ordinate a person's enrolment for an Ontario education number are not detailed.
The exact 'matters' that can be specified in regulations for the CODE's committee and its functioning are not fully detailed.
The specific 'proceedings' that are excluded from the application of subsection 53(9) or prescribed for clause 53(10)(b) are not detailed.

Laws Or Regulations Affected

Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014

amends

Grants the Minister additional powers to support child care operators and service system managers, and allows the Minister to assign Ontario education numbers to children upon parental request or if the child is registered in specific child care or early years programs.

Source: Schedule 1, Section 1 and 2

Education Act

amends

Expands the Minister's authority to establish policies and guidelines for student achievement assessment, board expense policies, educational materials, and public communications. It also changes rules for school board controlled entities, specifies the number of members on district school boards (between 5 and 12), and grants the Minister greater control over acquiring and managing school sites and buildings, including the ability to direct or take over management of construction projects if a board is non-compliant. Provisions are also added to protect Crown liability and to manage school board finances and estimates under ministerial oversight. The roles of the director of education in English-language district school boards are clarified, and dispute resolution processes for French-language rights holder groups are updated to involve the Minister directly.

Source: Schedule 2, Sections 1-33

Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005

amends

Changes the composition and appointment of the Council's board of directors, allows for the winding up and dissolution of the Council, and transfers its assets and liabilities to the Crown. The Minister will prepare the final annual report. The Act itself is repealed on a future date.

Source: Schedule 3, Sections 1-9

Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996

amends

Separates the regulation-making authority for accrediting professional teacher education programs from ongoing education programs, with specific provisions for accreditation requirements for professional programs that prevail over institutional decisions.

Source: Schedule 4, Section 1

School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014

amends

Designates the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) as the employer bargaining agency for various school boards, replacing the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association and the Ontario Public School Boards' Association in this role. It establishes a CODE committee to oversee its activities as an employer bargaining agency and outlines transitional processes. Terminology is updated from 'trustees' association' to 'employers' association'. The Act also allows for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association to observe central bargaining and potentially raise concerns about denominational rights.

Source: Schedule 5, Sections 1-15

Ottawa-Carleton French-Language School Board Transferred Employees Act

repeals

Repeals the definition of "Commission" in subsection 1 (1) of the Act.

Source: Schedule 2, Section 33

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1

First reading

Apr 13, 2026

Step 2

Second reading

May 4, 2026

Step 3

Committee review

May 4, 2026

Step 4

Third reading

May 6, 2026

Step 5

Royal assent

May 7, 2026

Vote Summary

Yes

Abstain

Absent / Other

Final recorded vote

May 6, 2026

103 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Markham—Stouffville

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

Representative	Role	Riding	Party	Vote	Notes
Andrew Dowie MPP	MPP	Windsor—Tecumseh	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Anthony Leardi MPP	MPP	Essex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Bill Rosenberg MPP	MPP	Algoma—Manitoulin	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Denault MPP	MPP	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Pang MPP	MPP	Markham—Unionville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Riddell MPP	MPP	Cambridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Saunderson MPP	MPP	Simcoe—Grey	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dave Smith MPP	MPP	Peterborough—Kawartha	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
David Smith MPP	MPP	Scarborough Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP	MPP	Newmarket—Aurora	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Deepak Anand MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Malton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP	MPP	Oakville North—Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
George Darouze MPP	MPP	Carleton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Andrea Khanjin MPP	MPP	Barrie—Innisfil	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney MPP	MPP	York—Simcoe	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Charmaine A. Williams MPP	MPP	Brampton Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Downey MPP	MPP	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman MPP	MPP	Oxford	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. George Pirie MPP	MPP	Timmins	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graham McGregor MPP	MPP	Brampton North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graydon Smith MPP	MPP	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Greg Rickford MPP	MPP	Kenora—Rainy River	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kevin Holland MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Atikokan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson MPP	MPP	Huron—Bruce	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael A. Tibollo MPP	MPP	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael Parsa MPP	MPP	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Mike Harris MPP	MPP	Kitchener—Conestoga	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta MPP	MPP	Mississauga Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Neil Lumsden MPP	MPP	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nina Tangri MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Streetsville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nolan Quinn MPP	MPP	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Paul Calandra MPP	MPP	Markham—Stouffville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP	MPP	Pickering—Uxbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP	MPP	Brampton South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho MPP	MPP	Scarborough North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Rob Flack MPP	MPP	Elgin—Middlesex—London	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sam Oosterhoff MPP	MPP	Niagara West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Crawford MPP	MPP	Oakville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Lecce MPP	MPP	King—Vaughan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Steve Clark MPP	MPP	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Todd J. McCarthy MPP	MPP	Durham	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Victor Fedeli MPP	MPP	Nipissing	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Rouge Park	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Zee Hamid MPP	MPP	Milton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jess Dixon MPP	MPP	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Jordan MPP	MPP	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Joseph Racinsky MPP	MPP	Wellington—Halton Hills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Laura Smith MPP	MPP	Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Logan Kanapathi MPP	MPP	Markham—Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lorne Coe MPP	MPP	Whitby	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Matthew Rae MPP	MPP	Perth—Wellington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Michelle Cooper MPP	MPP	Eglinton—Lawrence	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Mohamed Firin MPP	MPP	York South—Weston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Monica Ciriello MPP	MPP	Hamilton Mountain	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Natalie Pierre MPP	MPP	Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Paul Vickers MPP	MPP	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ric Bresee MPP	MPP	Hastings—Lennox and Addington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rudy Cuzzetto MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Sheref Sabawy MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Silvia Gualtieri MPP	MPP	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Steve Pinsonneault MPP	MPP	Lambton—Kent—Middlesex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Tyler Allsopp MPP	MPP	Bay of Quinte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Will Bouma MPP	MPP	Brantford—Brant	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Adil Shamji MPP	MPP	Don Valley East	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Aislinn Clancy MPP	MPP	Kitchener Centre	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Alexa Gilmour MPP	MPP	Parkdale—High Park	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrea Hazell MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Bobbi Ann Brady MPP	MPP	Haldimand—Norfolk	Independent	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine Fife MPP	MPP	Waterloo	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine McKenney MPP	MPP	Ottawa Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chandra Pasma MPP	MPP	Ottawa West—Nepean	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Glover MPP	MPP	Spadina—Fort York	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
France Gélinas MPP	MPP	Nickel Belt	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Guy Bourgouin MPP	MPP	Mushkegowuk—James Bay	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jamie West MPP	MPP	Sudbury	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jeff Burch MPP	MPP	Niagara Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens MPP	MPP	St. Catharines	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jessica Bell MPP	MPP	University—Rosedale	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Fraser MPP	MPP	Ottawa South	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Vanthof MPP	MPP	Timiskaming—Cochrane	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jonathan Tsao MPP	MPP	Don Valley North	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Karen McCrimmon MPP	MPP	Kanata—Carleton	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP	MPP	Toronto Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lee Fairclough MPP	MPP	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lisa Gretzky MPP	MPP	Windsor West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lise Vaugeois MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Superior North	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lucille Collard MPP	MPP	Ottawa—Vanier	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Marit Stiles MPP	MPP	Davenport	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mary-Margaret McMahon MPP	MPP	Beaches—East York	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mike Schreiner MPP	MPP	Guelph	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peggy Sattler MPP	MPP	London West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peter Tabuns MPP	MPP	Toronto—Danforth	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Rob Cerjanec MPP	MPP	Ajax	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Robin Lennox MPP	MPP	Hamilton Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sandy Shaw MPP	MPP	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sol Mamakwa MPP	MPP	Kiiwetinoong	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Smyth MPP	MPP	Toronto—St. Paul's	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephen Blais MPP	MPP	Orléans	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Terence Kernaghan MPP	MPP	London North Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Teresa J. Armstrong MPP	MPP	London—Fanshawe	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tom Rakocevic MPP	MPP	Humber River—Black Creek	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tyler Watt MPP	MPP	Nepean	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Wayne Gates MPP	MPP	Niagara Falls	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced