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Students and Parents Guide to
Expulsions and Appeals in Ontario
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 2
Why should you care whether you get expelled?
The shortest expulsion lasts more than 4 weeks and will disrupt your education. Other expulsions will
last longer. You may fall behind in your classes and lose credits as a result. Expulsions are recorded
in your Ontario Student Record. Teachers may have a different attitude towards you. You may not be
able to return to the same school after being expelled, or may find it very hard to graduate at the same
time as your peers.
If you might be expelled, you should take it seriously and think about how you want to respond. If you
think an expulsion would be unfair you should attend your expulsion hearing, and should appeal if you
are expelled.
What does it mean to be expelled?
Being expelled means that you won’t be allowed to go to your school and you may have to attend a
program for expelled students. As of February 1, 2008, there are two different kinds of expulsions: one
from the school you were at only or one from every school in your school board. However, no matter
what kind of expulsion you receive, you continue to belong to the same school board unless you move
to another board or your parents change their tax support.
What is an expulsion from my school?
This means that you are not allowed to go to your school or to participate in any of your school’s
related activities. Your principal will suspend you first, then investigate, and then make a
recommendation on whether you should be expelled or not. A recommendation to expel means
that there will be a hearing before the school board trustees to determine if you will be expelled.
See page 5 for information on school board expulsion hearings.
The expulsion from your school will last a minimum of 21 school days. During your suspension pending
expulsion you will be assigned to a program for suspended students. If the board then decides to expel
you from your own school only, you must be assigned to another school in the school board. The
principal will have input into which school would benefit you. At the end of the expulsion you can ask to
return to your own school, however there is no guarantee you will be let back in.
The day the expulsion starts is the day you were suspended pending an expulsion. For example if you
are given a 90 day expulsion and you have already been suspended for 20 days while you waited to
find out if you are expelled, then you only have 70 more days before the expulsion is over.
What is an expulsion from all schools in the board?
This means that you are not allowed to attend any school or school-related activities in your school
board. See page 5 for more information on school board expulsion hearings.
An expulsion from all schools in your school board can only happen after you have had a hearing
before the school board. If you receive this kind of expulsion you will be assigned to a program for
expelled students. Once you have successfully completed the program or satisfied the objectives of
those programs in another way, you can return to school. You can apply to another school board if you
have received an expulsion from all the schools in your school board. However, if you have not
successfully completed the expelled students program, or satisfied the objectives of those programs in
another way at your previous school board, the new school board can assign you to one of their
expelled students programs. See page 7 for more information on Expelled Student Programs.
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 3
Conduct or acts that can lead to an expulsion:
The principal must consider expulsion if you engage in any of the following activities at school, during a
school related activity, or in other circumstances where the activity will have a negative impact on the
school climate (for example, a fight on the weekend makes some students afraid to come to school on
Monday):
• have a weapon including a firearm;
• use a weapon to threaten or hurt another person;
• physically hurt another person so that person requires medical attention;
• sexually assault someone;
• traffic (sell) weapons or illegal drugs;
• commit a robbery;
• give alcohol to a person under 19 years old; or
• engage in any other activity that the school board has said would result in a mandatory
suspension and therefore must conduct an investigation to determine whether to recommend an
expulsion – your school should have a Code of Conduct that tells you what other actions would
result in a mandatory suspension and a possible expulsion.
If you are expelled for any of the conduct above, the principal must not only consider expelling you, but
may also have to notify the police. You do not have to answer any of their questions and can ask to
have a parent or other adult with you when they question you. Whatever you say to the Principal about
the incident can be passed on to the police. In addition to an expulsion, there may also be criminal
charges against you. There are exceptions to the expulsion rule, see “mitigating circumstances” on the
next page for more information.
Other reasons for expulsions
Each school board can decide what other conduct will lead to an expulsion. Most schools have a Code
of Conduct that sets out the expected behaviour of all persons in the school. You should ask the
school for a copy of this Code if you haven’t been given one at the beginning of the school year.
Here is some behaviour that could lead to an expulsion in many school boards:
• threatening to seriously hurt another person;
• vandalizing the school or property on the school;
• physically assault someone;
• hate-motivated violence;
• have or misuse any harmful substances; or
• inciting harmful behaviour (such as encouraging a fight).
Remember these are just a few examples. Your school board may have other conduct that can result in
an expulsion.
Even if I did it, do they HAVE to expel me? (“Mitigating Circumstances”)
No. Your principal does not have to recommend expulsion and the school board does not have to
expel you. Some of the things they must take into account are whether:
• you are unable to control your behaviour;
• you are unable to understand the “foreseeable consequences,” or what was likely to happen,
because of your behaviour; or
• your being at school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any other person at
school.
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 4
They should also consider:
• your history at the school (such as any problems you have had with teachers or other students,
or the fact that you have had no problems before);
• whether you have been identified as an exceptional student or have a disability;
• whether you understood what might happen because of your conduct (for example if you
understood that throwing something at another student could hurt them); and
• whether letting you stay at school would put other students’ or teachers’ safety at risk.
These factors are called “mitigating circumstances”. Your principal and the school board trustees (who
listen at your expulsion hearing and make a decision on your expulsion) are required to take into
account any special or mitigating circumstances you may have when determining whether you should
be expelled and the type of expulsion. They must act fairly. They must tell you what they think you did
wrong and must let you tell your side of the story. They must make sure they have accommodated any
disabilities you may have. If the school has not accommodated you and you believe you were expelled
because of discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. For
advice and assistance in filing your application, you can contact the Human Rights Legal Support
Centre.
What happens when I am expelled?
First, the principal will suspend you from school and all extra-curricular activity for 20 days pending an
investigation. The principal must tell you, your teachers, your parents or legal guardians (unless you
are 16 or 17 years old and have withdrawn from parental control or over 18 years old) that you have
been suspended. You must also receive written notice of the suspension. The letter must say why you
are suspended, for how long, and that the principal is carrying out an investigation for a possible
expulsion.
If you are suspended pending a possible expulsion, the letter will also tell you which suspended
students program you are being referred to while the investigation is taking place. You should attend
the program to keep up with your school work while you are waiting.
If the principal is investigating for a possible expulsion you cannot appeal the suspension until after the
principal has decided whether to recommend an expulsion. During the period of suspension the
principal will:
• conduct an investigation to determine if you should be expelled; and
• if the principal does not recommend expulsion you must be give written notice of the decision
and can return to school once the suspension period is over; or
• if after the investigation the principal recommends expulsion, he or she will prepare a report and
the matter will be referred to the school board for a hearing and to decide if you should be
expelled. You can and should attend the hearing.
You will be given notice of the recommendation to expel as well as a copy of the principal’s report, a
copy of the school board’s policies, procedures, and possible outcomes of an expulsion hearing. You
will also be told you have a right to respond in writing to the principal’s report.
What is a Principal’s Investigation?
The principal must conduct the investigation in accordance with the school board’s policy. As
part of the investigation, the principal must make all reasonable efforts to speak with you and
your parents (unless you are 16 or 17 years old and have withdrawn from parental control or
over 18 years old), and any other person who may have relevant information, such as
witnesses.
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 5
After the investigation, the principal can:
• decide not to recommend an expulsion; or
• prepare a report recommending an expulsion and send your case for a school board expulsion
hearing.
What is the Principal’s Report?
After investigating, if the principal decides to recommend that the student should be expelled, he or she
must prepare a report containing:
• a summary of the principal’s findings;
• whether the principal recommends expelling you from your school only or all the schools
in the school board;
• recommend the type of school that will benefit you if you are expelled from one school
only; and
• recommend the type of program for expelled students that might benefit you if you are
expelled from all schools in the school board.
A copy of this report must be given to you, your parents or guardians (unless you are 16 or 17
years old and have withdrawn from parental control or over 18 years old) and any other persons
specified by school board policy (for example, safe schools personnel).
What is a School Board Expulsion Hearing?
The school board can have all of its trustees or a committee of trustees (at least 3) act as judges and
hold a hearing. A hearing is like a trial where they will make a decision about whether to expel you.
The hearing must be held within 20 school days of the original suspension unless everyone agrees to
an extension. If more than 20 school days have passed without a hearing or an agreement to extend
the deadline, you can return to school.
At the hearing both the principal and the school board trustees may have a lawyer. The principal will
present evidence to the trustees as to why you should be expelled. You can also be represented by a
lawyer and can question the principal’s evidence and present your own evidence.
Each school board can decide its own process, but they must provide you with a copy of their
procedures and provide you with information on the process. If the process in your school board does
not give you a chance to fully explain your side, to discuss your “mitigating circumstances” (see page
3), and present your evidence, you should consult with a lawyer.
Generally, the school board trustees will listen to any evidence you provide about why an expulsion
would be unfair and will listen to the principal about why you should be expelled. You and your parents
have rights during this process which include:
• having a lawyer with you (and it would be helpful to have a lawyer with you);
• calling witnesses and present your side of the story;
• cross-examining or questioning all witnesses; and
• explaining why there are mitigating circumstances or to explain your disabilities and how
the board should accommodate them.
The school board trustees can decide one of four things:
• give you an expulsion from your own school only;
• give you an expulsion from all the schools in the school board;
• not expel you at all and let you return to school (this decision is final and cannot be appealed by
the school); or
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 6
• they can confirm, shorten or remove your 20 day suspension pending expulsion.
The decision of the school board trustees must be in writing and must be given to you, your, parents
(unless you are 16 or 17 years old and have withdrawn from parental control or over 18 years old) and
other parties to the expulsion hearing. It must give reasons for an expulsion. If you are expelled from
your school only, it must state which school you will now be attending. If you were expelled from all the
schools in the school board it must state the name and location of the expelled students program you
will be attending. It must also give you information on how to appeal the decision if you are being
expelled.
I feel I’ve been expelled unfairly, what can I do?
If you feel you have been expelled unfairly or that the expulsion is too long or that the school board
imposed conditions on you that are unfair or you can’t meet, then you have the right to appeal to the
Tribunal (Child & Family Services Review Board).
Occasionally, it is possible for you to have the decision reviewed by a court. This can happen, for
example, if the panel was biased against you or the process was unfair. Consult a lawyer about this.
Am I allowed to have a lawyer represent me in the appeal?
Yes. You should have a lawyer when you appeal to the Tribunal, as the process is complicated. If you
cannot afford a lawyer you can apply for Legal Aid. You can also call Justice for Children and Youth,
your local legal clinic, or Pro Bono Law Ontario to see whether they can help find a lawyer for you (see
the end of this pamphlet for contact information).
How do I appeal an expulsion?
All expulsions can be appealed to the Child and Family Services Review Board. Your parents or
guardian, or you (if you are 16 or 17 years old and have withdrawn from parental control or over 18
years old), must submit in writing a letter stating that you wish to appeal. This letter has to be sent to
the Child and Family Services Review Board within 60 days after the decision to expel you. Your letter
must include the date of the school board’s decision, the name of the school board that made the
decision and the type of expulsion (from your school only or from all the schools in the school board).
What is the Child and Family Services Review Board?
The Child and Family Services Review Board ("Review Board") is independent of school boards. The
members are appointed by the Government of Ontario. When the Review Board receives a letter of
appeal from you or your parents, it has 30 days to start a hearing. The contact information for the
Review Board is:
Child And Family Services Review Board
2 Bloor Street West, 24th Floor, Toronto ON M4W 3V5
Tel: 1-888-728-8823 (toll-free) / Fax: 416-327-4379
At the hearing, the school board will probably have a lawyer. The school board will tell the Review
Board why you have been expelled. You will have the chance to tell why you think the school board
was wrong. Keep in mind that the Review Board is fairly formal. If you can, you should bring a lawyer
with you. In addition, you should:
• listen quietly to the Review Board proceedings;
• remove non-religious headwear;
• not use or wear headphones;
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 7
• not chew gum or bring food and drinks;
• turn off cell phones and pagers; and
• dress neatly and avoid t-shirts with offensive slogans or language.
This is also good advice for the school board expulsion hearing.
The Review Board has the power to:
• confirm the school board’s decision, which means you are still expelled;
• change how long the expulsion will be or change the type of expulsion – this could include
making you go to an expulsion program or saying you don’t have to go to one and can go to
another school; or
• allow you to return to your school - in this is the case, the Review Board may also decide to
remove the expulsion from your school record.
Am I allowed to have a lawyer represent me at the Review Board?
Yes. You should have a lawyer when you go to the Child and Family Services Review Board as the
process is complicated. If you cannot afford a lawyer you can apply for Legal Aid. You can also call
Justice for Children and Youth, your local legal clinic, or Pro Bono Law Ontario to see whether they can
help find a lawyer for you (see the end of this pamphlet for phone numbers).
What if I do not agree with the decision of the Review Board?
The decision of the Review Board is FINAL. The decision should be in writing with reasons. You, the
school board and the principal have to follow it. Occasionally, you can ask a court to review the
decision if, for example, the panel was biased or the process was unfair. Consult a lawyer about this
possibility.
Can I go to school while waiting for my appeal?
No. You will be attending a different school or an expelled students program.
What do schools have to provide if I have been expelled?
An expulsion from your school only means that the school board has to admit you to another school.
You do not get to choose the other school. The school board will do that with input from your principal.
If you receive an expulsion from all the schools in your school board then you must be assigned to an
expelled students program. Each school board must have at least one of these programs. Ask the
school board where the nearest program for you is. You do not have to go to one of these programs,
however, if you have not satisfied the objectives of the program in some other acceptable way you can
not return to school.
What is an Expelled Students Program?
An expelled students program is a program that is designed to help you make academic progress and
help you with any behaviour problems that may have led to your expulsion. This could include angermanagement,
dispute resolution or other non-academic programs.
The program should be tailored to your academic needs and if have special education needs and an
IEP (Individual Education Plan), the program must conform to the IEP. If it does not, you should speak
to the school board staff person in charge.
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 8
Before you can return to school after an expulsion, the Ministry of Education says (in Policy 130), you
will be expected to show:
• respect for yourself, for others and for authority;
• that you understand and can accept the consequences of your actions;
• the ability to participate in a school without compromising the safety of yourself or others; and
• that you can follow the standards set out in the Provincial Code of Conduct.
If you were required to attend an expelled students program then you have to satisfy the program staff
that you have successfully completed the program before you can return to school.
How can my Parents be involved?
It is very important that you talk to your parents or guardians if you have been expelled. The
principal is required to notify your parents in writing that this has happened (unless you are 16
or 17 years old and have withdrawn from parental control or over 18 years old). Unless you are
an adult, only your parent or guardian can request that the expulsion decision be appealed. It
may also be easier for your parent or guardian to access outside help, such as legal services,
for you. If your parents refuse to help, consult a lawyer, Justice for Children and Youth, or Legal
Aid Ontario.
I am a parent and my child is at risk of being expelled or has been expelled – what should I do?
Being expelled from school is a serious matter that may affect your child’s future success in school. If
your child is at risk of being expelled, it is important that you read and keep the letters that your child
brings home from school. It is also important that you establish regular contact with the principal. You
should work to ensure that your child is treated fairly, that the principal investigates thoroughly and that
the principal properly considers the mitigating circumstances (see above).
The Ministry of Education in Ontario created a Code of Conduct for all people involved in the school
system, including parents and legal guardians of students. Schools are also allowed to add their own
rules. If you don’t follow these rules, the school may not let you onto school property.
As soon as your child has been suspended, you should ask how to access the program for suspended
students. If your child has already been expelled, he or she needs your help to access the necessary
resources for continuing his or her education. You should talk with the principal about the special
programs schools are required to provide for students who have been expelled from all schools in the
board, as well as the requirements that have been set for your child to return to school. If your child is
expelled from their school only, make sure your child is registered in the new school as soon as
possible.
If you wish to discuss your child’s situation with a school staff member it is best to make an
appointment before going to the school. Schools have the authority, under Ontario’s Trespass to
Property Act, to prevent entry of any person who is loitering or considered uncooperative, unreasonable
or disruptive. This can include parents or a student who has been expelled.
If you think your child may have special education needs that have not been addressed, you should ask
for an IPRC or IPRC review (Identification Placement Review Committee) – for more information see
our pamphlet on Special Education. If you think your child needs counselling or treatment but you’re
having difficulty accessing it, ask the school to help.
Depending on why your child is being expelled, there may be other issues that need to be addressed.
These could include addictions to alcohol or drugs, emotional trauma or association with gangs. If you
have any questions on how to deal with any of these subjects, you can ask the school to help.
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – EXPULSION PAMPHLET (PURPLE) 9
Resources:
Kids Help Phone – www.kidshelpphone.ca
416-973-4444 or 1-800-668-6868 (outside Toronto)
Parent’s Help Line - www.parenthelpline.ca
Toronto211:
A community resource for information about community, government, social and health issues in Toronto.
Dial 211 from inside the 416 and 647 area codes.
Outside those areas check the local Blue Book or visit www.211Ontario.ca
Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario - www.hrto.ca
416-326-1312 or 1-800-598-0322 (outside Toronto)
Human Rights Legal Support Centre - www.hrlsc.on.ca
416-314-6266 or 1-800-625-5179 (outside Toronto)
Contact Information to find a lawyer:
Justice for Children and Youth – www.jfcy.org
GTA: 416-920-1633 / Elsewhere in Ontario: 1-866-999-JFCY (5329)
Pro Bono Law Ontario – Child Advocacy Project – www.probononet.on.ca
GTA: 416-977 4448 ext 226 / Elsewhere in Ontario: 1-866-466-PBLO (7256)
Legal Aid Ontario – www.legalaid.on.ca
GTA: 416-979-2352 / Elsewhere in Ontario: 1-800-668-8258
Lawyer Referral Service
1-900-565-4577 ($6 charge added to your phone bill) or
1-800-268-8326 (for 17 and under only, no charge)
Referrals to lawyers in various areas of practice; 30 minutes of free legal advice.
This pamphlet is intended for parents and students of the publicly funded school system
in the Province of Ontario. Its purpose is to give general information about expulsions.
Speak to a lawyer or legal worker about specific questions.
Current as of August 1, 2008.
415 Yonge Street, Suite 1203
Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E7
GTA: (416) 920-1633 / Elsewhere in Ontario: 1-866-999-JFCY (5329)
www.jfcy.org

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