WARNING: The content discusses suicide and includes abuse allegations.
A group of approximately 24 former students of Robert Land Academy gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto to demand enhanced regulation of private schools in Ontario. This action was prompted by allegations of abuse at the now-closed military-style institution, which surfaced following a recent investigation by CBC News.
The investigation revealed instances of historical physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse at the Wellandport private school, including the employment of instructors with criminal records during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Speaking at a news conference, Chandra Pasma, a member of the provincial parliament and the NDP’s education critic, emphasized the need for immediate steps to prevent such institutional abuse under the guise of education.
During the event at Queen’s Park, the education critic announced plans for a private member’s bill to be introduced later this year, requiring vulnerable sector checks for private school staff.
Advocating for Ontario’s Role in Private School Oversight
Former students argue that their ordeals underscore the necessity for increased provincial involvement in overseeing private educational institutions. Unlike public schools, private school staff are not mandated to undergo comprehensive vulnerable-sector background checks to flag previous criminal charges.
Robert Land Academy ceased operations in June and declared bankruptcy. 120 former students have initiated legal actions to address the abuse they claim to have endured, dating back primarily to the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, with some incidents alleged to have occurred in the 2010s. These allegations have yet to be legally tested.
One of the former students, Jarett Holmes, shared his and his brother’s experiences at Robert Land in 1999 when they were 14 years old. They reported being isolated from each other, subjected to physical abuse and forced labor, and punished for attempting to communicate with their parents about the mistreatment.
Jarett emphasized the importance of setting boundaries for individuals working with children, especially vulnerable youth, stressing that child safety should transcend political affiliations.
Efforts to engage with Education Minister Paul Calandra by the former students have not yielded a response, according to Jarett. The minister’s press secretary, Emma Testani, advised individuals with abuse allegations to contact law enforcement, highlighting the province’s limited oversight role in private schools, which is primarily related to granting high school credits.
“The reported accounts are deeply troubling,” Testani stated. “Every student in Ontario deserves protection, respect, and a secure learning environment.”
MPP Proposing Legislation for Private Schools
Jon Krys
