In June the HSCDSB cut 70 Educational Assistant positions, leaving students throughout the HSCDSB without essential one-on-on learning support, behaviour support or light medical support in September 2025.
These EA positions were previously funded by Jordan’s Principle funding. For context, Jordan’s Principle funding from the federal government had been used to create a large number of EA positions to support Indigenous and First Nations students across Canada. Unfortunately, the federal government has changed its funding model and instead has transferred this funding responsibility to the provincial governments to fill the gaps, which the Ontario government has not yet addressed.
Losing 70 EAs will be devastating for students who rely on them at HSCDSB, and it’s horrible and unacceptable that the board does not seem to be addressing this crisis. This is another case in which Indigenous and First Nations children are caught in the crossfire between levels of government, and this will have an immense impact on students at HSCDSB and will exacerbate the already horrendous understaffing crisis at the board.