The new Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum No. 163
(PPM 163) requires all Ontario school boards to implement service
animal policies by January 1, 2020. PPM 163 also outlines what the
service animal policies must contain.
Background
Prior to this year, educators, students, and parents had very
little access to guidance on the safe and inclusive introduction of
service animals into the school environment. There was no
provincial legislation on the matter specifically aimed at schools
and, as recently as early September 2019, just over half of all
Ontario school boards had implemented service animal policies.
The Ontario Government decided to remedy this deficiency on
April 13, 2019, passing Bill 48, Safe and Supportive
Classrooms Act, 2018. Among other things, this bill amends the
Education Act, authorizing the Minister of Education to
establish policies and guidelines respecting service animals in
schools.