Bill 33 explained in plain English

Bill 33 amends laws governing child and youth services, schools, colleges and universities, and the Ombudsman to expand government oversight and control over these institutions and services.

Bill 33 is a comprehensive law that amends four major Ontario laws to affect child and youth services, schools, colleges, and the oversight of these institutions. The bill changes how children's aid societies must inform children, young people, and others about the Ombudsman (an independent office that investigates complaints). It requires societies to review and publish their rules, and gives the Minister power to approve major financial deals made by these organizations. The bill significantly changes how schools are governed. It gives the Minister broader powers to investigate school boards, give directions to boards about matters of public concern, and take control of boards that do not follow the Minister's directions. It adds new types of auditors for schools (Ministry auditors and internal auditors), requires school boards to work with local police, requires boards to get the Minister's approval to name schools, and gives the Minister power to set rules about school board spending. The bill requires colleges and universities to assess students fairly based on merit and to publish their admission criteria. It requires all colleges and universities to develop security plans to protect their research. It gives the government power to regulate fees that students must pay at colleges and universities. The bill also expands the Ombudsman's authority to look into complaints from people receiving services from children's aid societies, including people in "continued care and support" agreements. Most of the bill came into force on November 20, 2025, when it received Royal Assent, though some parts of the Schedule 1 (child and youth services) will come into force at a later date set by government order.