Take action
There are many ways to support public education in Ontario. Start here with Support Ontario Schools actions, then explore campaigns we support.
Key takeaways
- Find your MPP and school board (links below)—then contact them with one clear ask.
- Use our templates: email your MPP, meeting agenda, incident log, and one-pager.
- Join our list, volunteer, or share your story so we can coordinate and amplify.
- Support Building Better Schools, OECTA, CUPE, and OSSTF campaigns—petitions, trackers, and more.
Choose your path
Send an issue-specific message
Start with the evidence
Start here (15 minutes)
The most effective advocacy is simple: one real story + one clear ask + follow-up in writing.
Step 1 — Find who represents you
- Find your MPP by postal code — We'll show your riding and MPP contact, then you can use our email template. Or use the official MPP finder.
- Find your school board (search by postal code): Ontario.ca — Find a school board or school authority
Step 2 — Send a message that gets answered
Use our templates. Replace one bullet with a concrete example from your child's school, then ask for a written reply within two weeks.
If this is urgent safety
If anyone is in immediate danger, call emergency services. For non-emergency concerns, document what happened and follow your school's reporting process (teacher → principal → board) while also contacting your MPP and asking them to press the Minister of Education for action and accountability. Trustees can help raise local issues, but they're often constrained by Ministry rules and funding decisions too.
With Support Ontario Schools
- Join our email list— Get updates and simple actions you can take.
- Volunteer— Tell us how you'd like to help (e.g. local outreach, events, social media).
- Sign up: Protect Ontario school board trustees— Pick a shift/task to help support elected trustees and defend local democracy in education.
- Share your story— Your experience as a parent helps others understand why this matters.
- Toolbox— Pre-written emails, tweets, and printable materials.
Campaigns we support
Building Better Schools (ETFO), OECTA, CUPE/OSBCU, and OSSTF are all fighting for public education. We are not affiliated with any union, but we support their work and encourage you to take part in their actions.
- Building Better Schools – Take Action hub— Petitions, email your MPP, smaller classes campaign, and more.
- Education cuts tracker— See how funding cuts have affected your local school.
- Stand up for elected school boards— Email your MPP to support local democracy in education.
- OECTA – Education Issues— Catholic teachers' advocacy on violence, class sizes, funding, and more.
- CUPE Ontario – School Boards (OSBCU)— 57,000+ education workers (EAs, custodians, ECEs, CYWs). Wages report, services survey, e-actions.
- OSSTF – Briefs and Submissions— Secondary teachers and professional services. Funding briefs, violence survey, policy submissions.
Next steps (when you have an hour)
- Call your MPP's constituency office and ask for a meeting about public education funding, staffing, and supports.
- Write your MPP with a clear request for what you want the Minister of Education to do (timelines, measurable targets, and public reporting). If you contact your trustee, ask them to amplify the issue publicly—don't scapegoat them for constraints set by the Ministry.
- Bring one page: your story, the ask, and 2–3 citations. See Sources and the Toolbox.