FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2025
Green bill to provide more transparency and accountability around sexual misconduct complaints in Island schools passes unanimously in the legislature
Charlottetown, PE – Today in the legislature, a Green bill to increase transparency and accountability regarding sexual misconduct complaints in Island schools passed unanimously. The bill, which was put forward by Karla Bernard, Leader of the Third Party and Third Party Critic for Education, is based on a previously proposed Green bill from 2020 and a subsequent draft ministerial directive.
“Recent events, and indeed not-so-recent events, have made it painfully clear that we need a more transparent and standardized approach to addressing sexual misconduct in our schools,” said Bernard. “While many schools are working hard to protect students, what is lacking is a consistent framework that ensures no child falls through the cracks of silence, uncertainty, or inaction.”
The bill requires each educational authority to implement a sexual misconduct policy within one year. It also requires annual public reports from each educational authority to include information on complaints of sexual misconduct under the sexual misconduct policy, and the supports, services, and accommodation available to students. The amendment clearly requires that an annual report shall not contain identifying information of any person in relation to a complaint.
“This bill has been five years in the making. By putting these protections into law, we’re building a stronger foundation of trust, through transparency and accountability, between students, families, and the P.E.I. Public Schools Branch,” said Bernard.
“We cannot pretend these situations do not happen. They happen here, as they do across Canada and around the world. But what we can do — what we must do — is ensure that when they do occur, we are ready to respond with the seriousness, consistency, and transparency our children deserve.”
The bill passed second reading and third reading unanimously. The successful bill is expected to commence at the beginning of the 2025/26 school year.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca