CONTENT WARNING: This article touches on sensitive topics involving suicide and abuse allegations.
A group of approximately twenty former students of Robert Land Academy gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto to advocate for stricter oversight of private schools in Ontario, following reports of historical abuse at the now-closed military-style institution in Wellandport.
The demands for regulatory changes were spurred by a recent CBC News investigation revealing claims of physical, emotional, and in some instances, sexual mistreatment at the school during the 1990s and early 2000s, involving instructors with criminal backgrounds.
Chandra Pasma, a member of the provincial parliament and the NDP’s education critic, stressed the urgency of preventing institutional abuse under the guise of education, emphasizing the need for immediate action to combat such misconduct.
At Queen’s Park Thursday, the education critic says she’s preparing a private member’s bill to introduce this fall. If passed, it would require private school staff to pass vulnerable sector checks.
Advocating for Ontario’s Oversight of Private Schools
Former students argue that their personal ordeals underscore the necessity for increased government involvement in regulating private schools in Ontario.
Unlike public schools, private institutions currently do not mandate rigorous background checks for staff members to uncover any prior criminal records.
Robert Land Academy, which ceased operations in June and filed for bankruptcy, is facing legal action from around 120 ex-students who allege mistreatment spanning decades, from the 1980s to the early 2000s and into the 2010s, though these claims have not been litigated.
Jarett Holmes, who attended Robert Land in 1999 with his brother, Evan, recounted instances of isolation, physical abuse, and forced labor, highlighting the need for stringent safeguards for youth in educational settings.
Efforts to engage with Education Minister Paul Calandra by former students have been met with silence, prompting concerns over the lack of response from government officials.
In response to the allegations, the minister’s press secretary Emma Testani emphasized the importance of safeguarding students and urged individuals with complaints to contact law enforcement authorities.
“The revelations are deeply troubling,” stated Testani. “Every student in Ontario deserves safety, dignity, and a learning environment built on trust.”
MPP Proposes Legislation to Enhance Private School Oversight
Jon Krys, who worked briefly at Robert Land Academy in 1992, recounted witnessing ongoing mistreatment of students by staff, leading him to advocate for legislative changes alongside former students at Queen’s Park.
The proposed reforms include mandatory registration of teaching staff with the Ontario College of Teachers and the establishment of an independent ombudsman’s office to handle grievances within private schools.
Pasma is pushing for immediate reforms while preparing to introduce a private member’s bill in the upcoming legislative session.
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