Chapter 10
What Students can do
Overview
Canadian students—whether in middle school, high school, or CÉGEP—are uniquely positioned to create change in their schools and communities. While school boards or administrators sometimes dismiss parents’ concerns as “political,” student voices are harder to ignore. When students speak about their lived experiences—especially on issues of safety, inclusion, and discrimination—school leaders are compelled to take those perspectives seriously.
Student advocacy is critical for accountability. Across Canada, students are gaining more formal roles in decision-making. Ontario has student trustees elected by peers to sit on every school board. Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia have provincial student advisory councils that meet directly with the Minister of Education. These opportunities give young people a seat at the table where policies about curriculum, safety, mental health, and equity are shaped.
If students do not occupy these spaces, they risk being dominated by voices that normalize intolerance or hate. Taking part means not just protecting themselves, but strengthening Canadian values of equality, diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
Legal framework:
Canadian students benefit from strong legal protections, but rights are not unlimited.
Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982). Section 2(b) guarantees freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression. Students in public schools (which are government entities) can express their views, wear symbols, or engage in peaceful protest—as long as it does not cause significant disruption to learning or violate the rights of others.
Provincial Human Rights Codes. Every province prohibits discrimination and harassment in education based on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and other grounds. For example, Ontario’s Human Rights Code protects students against antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hate.
Education Acts. Each province’s Education Act requires schools to provide safe and inclusive learning environments. For example, Ontario’s Education Act, Part XIII (Safe Schools) obliges schools to prevent bullying and harassment, while B.C.’s Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools Policy enshrines similar protections.
Private/Independent schools. While not automatically bound by the Charter, private schools are still subject to human rights codes and must not discriminate.
Canadian courts have ruled that freedom of expression in schools must be balanced with the school’s duty to maintain safety, dignity, and respect for all students.
Ways students can make a difference
Speak at board meetings. Every Canadian school board has public delegations or “presentations to the board.” Students can register to share their stories about bullying, harassment, or curriculum concerns, and propose practical solutions. Lived experience is powerful when paired with specific recommendations.
Serve as a student trustee or council representative. In Ontario, student trustees are elected annually and sit with school boards to represent student concerns province-wide through the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO). Other provinces have similar mechanisms:
Nova Scotia: Minister’s Advisory Council on Student Achievement.
Alberta: Minister’s Youth Council.
British Columbia: British Columbia Student Voice network.
Quebec: CÉGEP student associations and Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FECQ).
These bodies give students direct influence on education policy.Petitions and collective action. Students can launch petitions (through their school councils or online) to call for policy changes—whether adding Holocaust education, improving anti-bullying programs, or protecting against hate incidents. When petitions are presented to trustees or principals, they show broad support, not just isolated complaints.
School journalism and media campaigns. Students can write for school newspapers, contribute op-eds to local media, or launch podcasts, blogs, or TikTok/Instagram campaigns. Highlighting stories of antisemitism, racism, homophobia, or other discrimination—and offering solutions—helps shape public conversation and puts pressure on boards to act.
Organize student forums. Hosting panels, debates, or awareness weeks within the school gives students a platform to educate peers and normalize respectful dialogue.
