Action steps

Freedom of Information — fees & process

Under Ontario’s Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), you can request records from school boards.

• Submit a written request describing the records as specifically as possible (lesson plans, resource lists, emails, policies).
• Application fee is $5. Boards may also charge search/preparation time. You can request a fee waiver if disclosure is in the public interest.
• Boards have 30 days to respond (extensions possible with notice).
• If refused or heavily redacted, appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

DDSB: foi.privacy@ddsb.ca · FOI page · mail FOI Officer / General Counsel, 400 Taunton Rd E, Whitby ON L1R 2K6.
DCDSB: FOI@dcdsb.ca · 905-576-6150 ext. 22223 · FOI page.

FOI appeal (Ontario IPC)

If the board refuses your request, provides incomplete records, claims excessive fees, or misses the timeline, appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

1. Gather the board’s decision letter (or note the deemed refusal if 30 days passed with no response), your original request, and the IPC appeal form.
2. Pay the appeal fee: $10 for personal-information requests or $25 for general records.
3. File online (preferred) or mail: Registrar, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8.
4. You will normally receive a Notice of Appeal within about 10 business days. Mediation may follow; unresolved files can go to adjudication.

IPC: information for individuals · File an appeal online · Forms (including appeal PDF) · Code of Procedure (Sept 2024)

How to submit a formal delegation

A delegation is a timed presentation to trustees at a public meeting.

DDSB — Check the Board and Committee Meetings page for the current request process. Public Question Period is separate: the question form typically opens Wednesday 9:00 a.m. and closes Friday 12:00 p.m. before a regular Board meeting.

DCDSB — Public Delegation Policy (PO219). Contact Liz Beckstead (liz.beckstead@dcdsb.ca) for form AF219-1A and deadlines.

Prepare a clear, factual, timed statement. Focus on specific policy or process issues rather than personal attacks.

Talking with older children and teens

• Ask open questions: “What are you hearing at school about gender or sexuality?” rather than leading with your conclusions.
• Share age-appropriate biological facts and the difference between feelings, identity claims, and material reality.
• Emphasize that respect for every person does not require agreement with every ideology.
• Discuss social influence, peer dynamics, and evidence (Cass Review findings can be summarized at a high level for older teens). Sources.
• Keep the door open. A calm parent is more influential long-term than a confrontational one.
• If your child is in distress, prioritize mental-health support from clinicians who follow evidence-based approaches rather than immediate affirmation-only pathways.

Parent-teacher conference checklist

• Ask for the schedule of Human Development & Sexual Health units
• Confirm PPM 162 notice will be given ≥20 school days in advance
• Request to review materials before they are used
• Ask how preferred names/pronouns are handled and whether parents are notified
• Request written follow-up of any agreements
• Note the date, attendees, and key statements afterward

See also the Quick Start one-pager