Letter from the Office of the Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education in response to Letter from Michael Teper, President of CAEF, re Concerns about the Toronto District School Board (TDSB)

R. Michael Teper

President

Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation

rmichaelteper@gmail.com

Dear R. Michael Teper,

Thank you for your letter expressing your concerns regarding the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). While I sincerely regret that I am unable to accommodate your request to meet at this time, I am pleased to respond in writing.

Schools should be a safe place for every student to learn in a respectful and supportive environment. Antisemitism is unacceptable and has no place in our schools.

On June 27th, 2025, our government appointed a supervisor to review how the TDSB manages its schools. The supervisor represents the ministry's vested control, overseeing and managing the administration of the board — including not only financial management, but also policy implementation and operational oversight. The supervisor has a clear mandate to refocus the board on student achievement, restore accountability, and support classrooms.

I will be relentless in ensuring trustees focus on what matters most — setting students up for success and preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow. Trustees should not be opining on politics, global events, or curriculum.

I will ensure that school boards refocus on their core responsibilities and that clear, consistent rules are in place — outlining how public dollars are to be spent, what trustees are accountable for, and what boards are expected to deliver — so that parents can count on a consistent, high-quality education system, and teachers have the resources they need in the classroom.

Our government has also introduced new legislation that, if passed, would further strengthen accountability, transparency, and oversight in Ontario's publicly funded education system. This would allow me, as Minister of Education, to quickly respond to matters of public interest, including directing an investigation or placing a school board under supervision when there are concerns over its practices.

With respect to what you have shared about complaints you filed at the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), I recommend that you continue to work with the OCT as the independent, regulatory body that is responsible for governing its members, protecting the public interest, and regulating all matters related to the teaching profession in Ontario. The province continues to work with the OCT to continually improve professional oversight in the education sector and to ensure high standards are upheld.

Thank you again for writing. I hope this information has been helpful. Should you wish to speak with staff from the ministry directly, please feel free to contact the Ministry of Education regional office at 1-800-268-5755 and an Education Officer would be happy to speak with you.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Paul Calandra

Minister of Education

Click here to view the Letter that Michael Teper wrote to the Minister of Education