Ontario School Board Calls for Free Busing for First Nations Students

What this means for you: If you are a First Nations family living on a reserve in Ontario, your children could soon ride the school bus for free. A push to change the rules aims to treat Indigenous students the same as other students, removing the fees that currently prevent many from getting a ride to school.

The Problem: A "Two-Tier" System

Currently, there is a gap in how students are treated based on where they live.

• Students living off-reserve: They are automatically considered "pupils of the board." The school board receives funding to provide them with free busing.
• Students living on-reserve: They are classified as "fee-paying" students. Their tuition is paid by the federal government (through Indigenous Services Canada). However, these tuition agreements usually do not cover the cost of school bus transportation.

Because of this, First Nations students often have to find their own way to school. This creates a significant barrier, especially in rural areas where schools are far away and families may not have vehicles or the money to pay for gas and driving.

The Solution: Changing the Definition

The Lambton-Kent District School Board (LKDSB) has voted to ask the Ontario government to fix this. They are passing a motion to send letters to the Ministry of Education and local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).

They want the Education Act changed so that First Nations students are legally defined as "pupils of the board." If this happens, the province would be responsible for funding their transportation, just like any other student attending a public school.

Trustees have called the current situation an inequality that needs to be "dismantled" to ensure fair access to education.

Who is Affected?

• Primary Group: First Nations students living on reserves who attend public schools run by provincial school boards (like LKDSB).
• Geographic Area: This specific motion started in Southwestern Ontario (Lambton-Kent area), but the change would apply to the Ontario Education Act. If successful, it would set a precedent and likely apply to First Nations students across the entire province.
• Families: Parents and guardians who currently struggle to transport their children to school or pay for alternative travel.

What You Should Do

If this issue affects you or your community:

1. Talk to your School Board: Reach out to your local school trustee. Ask them if they support the LKDSB motion and if they are willing to pass a similar resolution.
2. Contact your MPP: Write to your local Member of Provincial Parliament. Let them know that transportation is a barrier to education and that you support changing the Education Act to include First Nations students in busing funding.
3. Stay Informed: Watch for updates from the Ministry of Education regarding changes to the funding model for Indigenous students.

Bottom Line

The current system forces First Nations families to pay for their own transportation to public schools, creating a barrier to daily attendance. The Lambton-Kent District School Board is asking Ontario to change the law to provide free busing for these students. If the government agrees, it would level the playing field and ensure that all students have the same access to the school bus, regardless of whether they live on a reserve or not.