An open letter to the Government of Ontario
May 16, 2023
To: The Provincial Government of Ontario
℅ Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education
Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health
Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour
Dear Premier Ford, Dr. Moore, Hon. Ministers Lecce, Jones, and McNaughton
We, the members of Ontario School Safety (OSS), are calling on the Ontario Provincial Government to test, monitor, and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools and school buses – because all students in Ontario have a right to a safe and stable, in-person education. As concerned parents, healthcare workers, education workers*, scientists, and community advocates, we are committed to making schools safer from airborne pollutants that can trigger allergies and asthma and cause illnesses like COVID-19, Influenza A, and RSV.
We have known since the 1990s that IAQ in schools did not meet the levels needed to decrease risks from allergens, airborne pollutants, and airborne diseases, nor did systems operate at a level that helps students’ academic performance. [1][2] The pandemic has shown us the importance of IAQ, and that current IAQ maintenance measures in schools don’t guarantee the safety of the air breathed by students and education workers on school buses and in schools. Ventilation plays a key role in IAQ – where there is better ventilation, there are fewer absences and less COVID-19 spread in schools.
The current status of IAQ in schools and school buses across the province is an urgent issue that impacts the health of our children and education workers, which is why we’re asking to meet with Premier Ford, Dr. Moore, Hon. Ministers Lecce, Jones, and McNaughton as soon as possible, and preferably within the next 30 days, to discuss the following measures:
Thorough IAQ testing by ventilation engineers, as recommended by Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) and as carried out at Queen’s Park in your own offices.
Installation of CO2 monitors, with visible/accessible displays, in every bus, classroom, and shared space to ensure ventilation systems are working as they should.
Where IAQ testing reveals a problem, updating and/or repairing HVAC systems to meet the standards recommended by experts in the field. Until repairs have been completed, we expect the government to supply and educate users on the use of temporary air quality equipment, like HEPA filters.
Students and education workers spend approximately 6-8 hours per day, close to 200 days per year inside schools.[3] Canadian Occupational Health and Safety guidelines have recommendations regarding IAQ levels in workplaces – including schools.[4] However, without regular monitoring of IAQ, we don’t know if our school buses and buildings are putting our education staff and students at risk.
Just as we have a right to clean drinking water, we should have a right to clean air. You, our government, have a duty to provide clean air in the spaces Ontario families depend on. Ensuring all students can access a high-quality, inclusive, and equitable in-person education should be our top priority – improving IAQ helps achieve that goal. This will make schools less vulnerable to closures during airborne pandemics, which is something that everyone should agree on.
A big part of a safer schools plan will be listening to experts from both inside and outside of the classroom. To that end, we ask the government to fund an air quality maintenance committee composed of experts like air quality/ventilation engineers, education workers/education workers, and infectious disease specialists. In order to not waste the time and resources of the committee, we propose that going forward, the provincial government be required to publish and apply the recommendations of the committee, and provide regular progress updates to the people of Ontario – similar to the Missing and Missed Implementation Team and as outlined in Bill 86.
When cigarette smoke was found to be harmful to IAQ and our health, we took measures to protect the public. The steps taken to reduce the harms of cigarette smoke demonstrate that when we know better, we do better. Let’s embrace what we have learned about the importance of IAQ, along with other ways to mitigate harm. Together – as a society, and you as our government – we need to embrace the precautionary principle and our duty to protect the most vulnerable, particularly our children and youth. With improved IAQ, along with publicly available air quality data and enforcement of IAQ standards in line with the recommendations from OSPE as outlined in Bill 86, we can get there.
This “Made in Ontario” solution for safer schools benefits everyone – fewer work absences, decreased strain on our healthcare system and budget, improved academic performance in math, science, and reading, and a huge step forward towards a pandemic-proof Ontario. Ultimately, high-quality indoor air must be a core component of any plan to ensure a safe, stable, in-person learning environment.
We welcome your reply with a date for meeting at your earliest convenience – because our students can’t wait and they deserve better. If we do not receive a response by May 26, 2023, we will assume you are choosing not to act, and we will proceed with next steps to ensure all of Ontario has access to clean indoor air.
We look forward to working with you to ensure the safety of students and education workers in all Ontario schools.
Sincerely,
Ontario School Safety
*On June 12, 2023, we changed "educators" to "education workers" to better encompass everyone who is employed in the education system.
If you would like to be included below, please fill out this form to endorse this letter and show your support for improving indoor air quality in all Ontario schools and school buses.
This open letter has been endorsed by the following:
Ontario - Organizations
CUPE 4148
Earth Education League
Environmental Sensitivities Coalition of Canada
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA)
London Health Coalition
Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition
SadieBelle Doula Care
Masks 4 Canada
Canada - Organizations
BC School Covid Tracker
Canadian Aerosol Transmission Coalition (CATC)
Protect our Province British Columbia (POP BC)
Protect our Province New Brunswick (POP NB)
Take Action Against Covid, Saskatchewan
Covid Long Haulers Support Group Canada
International - Organizations
Long Covid Advocacy, UK
Ontario - Individuals
Kathryn Adams-Sloan, MSW, RSW, Chair of the Women’s Caucus to the Canadian Association for Social Work Education
Amie Archibald-Varley
Russell E. Bishop, PhD, Biochemistry and Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University
Nancy Butcher, PhD, The Hospital for Sick Children
Michelle Cohen, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Queen's University
Elizabeth Courtney, Retired Teacher
Jennifer Daley-Stewart
Ann Douglas, Author
Jonathan Douglas, PhD CPsych, Central Ontario Psychology
David Elfstrom, P.Eng
David Fisman, MD, MPH
Vicky Evans, Education Worker
Nahid Forsyth
Tahmineh Forsyth, OCT
Ashley Fox
Robert Graham, RRT/NRCP, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
Sarena Gray
Amy Greer, BSc, MSc, PhD, University of Guelph
Christine Guptill, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Associate Professor, University of Ottawa
David Hanwell, MSc, DVM, DVSc, DACLAM, University of Toronto
Franz Hochholdinger
Jennifer Irwin, PhD
Shoshanah Jacobs, PhD, University of Guelph
Nili Kaplan-Myrth, MD, PhD
Debra Lefebvre, RN, BN, BA, MPA
Christopher Leighton, MD, FRCPC, Adjunct Professor, Department of Oncology, Western University
Mandy Masse
Jane E. McArthur, PhD
Devon McDonald, MD, FRCPC
Nancy Olivieri, MD, FRCPC
Tanya Pobuda, BJ, PMP, MA Prof. Comm, PhD,
Marco Prado, PhD Full Professor Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario
Glen Pyle, PhD, University of Guelph
Marilyn Raymer, PHN, Retired Public Health Nurse - Communicable Diseases
Dana Sawchuk, PhD, Wilfrid Laurier University
James Sessford, PhD, R.Kin, University Health Network
James Andrew Smith, PhD, York University's Lassonde School of Engineering
Elizabeth Stephenson, MD
Catherine Stratton, MPH, University of Toronto
Henry Swoboda, MD, Queen’s University
Krista Thompson, MHSc, ROH, CRSP
Ashleigh Tuite, PhD, MPH, MSc, University of Toronto
Birgit Umaigba, RN
Sabina Vohra-Miller, Founder, Unambiguous Science
Maxim Voronov, PhD, Professor of Sustainability, Schulich School of Business, York University
Scott Weese, DVM DVSc DACVIM FCAHS, University of Guelph
Cheryl White, P.Eng
Brenna Wilson, Interior Decor
Benjamin Wong, MPH
Dick Zoutman, MD
Catherine Clase, MD, McMaster Centre of Excellence in Protective Equipment & Materials, McMaster Department of Medicine
Rose Gass RN BA MHST
Barry Deane, BSc, MSc, BEd
Leann Andrews
Gillian Stollery
Keri McAnea, RPP, MCIP, MRTPI
Maithe Carvalho, PhD
Erin Maher CPA, CMA
David Christopher, MLS
Anibal H. Castillo, MSc, University of Guelph
Samiyah Aziz, OCT
Kathleen Waller
Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Parent
Daisy Soderstrom, BEd, BA, Parent of child with autoimmune disorder, EA supporting a medically fragile student who is unable to wear a mask
Jessica Hughes
Diane Hachem, LL.B
Lawrence Chung
Susana Molinolo
John Laver, PhD
Sharon Yeung
Thanh Hoang, MSc, SLP, CASPLO
Muriel Corbierre, PhD
Michael Boisvert, PhD
Virginia Zarifi, MA Clin Psych
Andria Jones-Bitton, PhD, DVM
Jaclyn Livingstone
Emily Schooley, Actor and Filmmaker
Suzanne Vaisanen
Leanne Burnham
Sharon Anderson
Don Morrow, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario
Aviva German, OCT
Catherine Hébert, MSW, RSW
Lital Duke, MSc, Speech-Language Pathologist
Leah Ugulini, RDH
Brian McLachlan
Samantha Brimble, MSc
Cameron MacLeod, BCS
Andrew Dobbie BSc, BEd , OCT, Ontario Public School Teacher
Diana Chard, RD
Susan Finley, BA, BEd, Retired Teacher
Rupinder Sahsi MD CCFP(EM), McMaster University
Erica Shiner
Mohammed Vepari
Andria Natale, BA, BEd, MA
Allene Scott
Dwight Williams
Marie Tattersall
Andrea Thomas DVM MSc PhD
Jennifer Green, BSc, MBA, PhD Candidate
Angela Nardozi, PhD, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Kelly McNeice
Nancy Johnson, retired Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Heather McIntosh, Registered Physiotherapist
Marie Snyder
Angie Caruso
Todd Green, Brock University
Geoff Boyd
Libia Saborido, PhD
Mark Hewitt, PhD, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University
Richelle Forsey, Parent
Peter Hodsman, MSW, RSW
Gisele Gordon
Evelyn Steinberg, Taxpayer
Murray McIsaac
Trixie Doyle, former TDSB Trustee
Kimberley Da Ros
Maneesha Rajora
Nancy Strickler
Scott Strickler
Heather Pun
Kelly Lynch-pappas, Teacher
Kathleen Aldridge
John Dupuis, Librarian, York University
Stephen Flindall, MD, MSc
Andrea Coholic, MD, CCFP Family physician
Ruth Crawford, Concerned Taxpayer
Karen Wright
Geoffrey P. Johnston, International Affairs Columnist
Rose S.
Alison Chafe, MBA
Erica Brandt
Sandra Thain
Nadia Bashir, PhD
Monica Mittal
Kim Wright
Tanya Lee, MSc (Planning)
Kelly Laverty-Pagnan, BA, BEd, Elementary School Teacher
Michael Donaldson MRT (R)
Reagan Hicock
Alexandria Kerlow
Eric Kennedy, PhD, Associate Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, York University
Bobby-Jo Latva-Aro, Registered Nurse
Lois Warbin
Riaz Mohammed, OCT
Kay Sunahara PhD
Christine Havill
Parent and Youth Volunteer
Jason Coward
Christa Hall
Barbara Kerr
Cyndi Cressman
Kate Steinmann, MA, PhD
Shannon Trail
Anna Drake, PhD, Political Science, University of Waterloo
Patricia Murray
Ruth Anne Freeborn
Jean Charles Bernard
Genny Coe
Sandra Tierney
Marnie Eves, Parent
Shanon Kerr BSc, MRT(R)
Lauren Stollery BSCN
Diana Warbin
Joanna Dudek, PhD
Julie Sherwood
Staci Martin
Ingrid Waisgluss
Cori Lee Marvin, artist
Sandra Hughes
Alexander Nathan
Jason Elliott
Karyn Hegarty
MP McConnell
Liana Kay
Steffen Graether, PhD, University of Guelph
Daniel Gillis, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Guelph
Naomi Ives Peak, MSW
Angela McLean, OCT Diploma of Education
Catherine McNair
Siobhan NiLoughlin
Jessica Eitel Matwick, MN, RN
Megan Kulkarni
Dr. Kristina Llewellyn, PhD, OCT, University of Waterloo (Renison)
Jess Clausen
Rebecca Vallee
John Parente, OCT
Chrystale Ladouceur
Diane Sullivan
Sonia Labbé, MSc
Barbara Koelewijn
Karen Hung, BVSc (Veterinarian)
Jaimi Long
Judy Woods PhD, OCT (retired), RN
Heidi Bilas, RN MScA, Occupational Health Nurse
Catherine Landry
Michael Bilas Bsc.PT, MBA
Maria Ali
Miriam Paton, MSc (Physics), Parent
Taylor Myers
Caroline Paton
Jennifer Paton Smith
Emily R Giddings, Grandmother
Retired, BA History & Political Science, Bishop's University, Parent & Grandparent
Tricia Pocock BA, BEd, MEd, OCT
Jana Reid
Lytton Patrick Brown
Lorna Gillen, MD
Shane Smith, Parent/Taxpayer/Small Business Owner
Ryan Tennant, BASc, MASc, PhD Student (Engineering)
Karen McKenna-Meger, MSW, RSW
Angie Bennett, MPH
Caitlin Beukema, MSW, RSW
Mallory Maynard
Jenny Zollerano
Susan Lemelin
Jodi Morrison
Melanie Ritchie
Tim Abray, PhD candidate, good governance advocate
Neil Bowen
Alec Butler, Taxpayer
Hilary Brown, PhD, University of Toronto
Barb Collins
Jan McCormick, Retired Teacher
Sandra Armstrong, Retired teacher working LTO or supply
Jennifer Esmail, PhD
Christina Koch
Andrea Thomas, DVM, MSc, PhD (Epidemiology)
Elizabeth Olin
Colleen O’Connor
Margaret Karrel, Grandparent
Jules Tupker
B. F. Prince
Laurie Hellens
Myra Piirtoniemi, Ontario North Family Councils Network
Ashley Giddings, BA, BEd, MEd
Ivan Silver, MD FRCP(C), University of Toronto
Karen Sourtzis, RECE, retired
Corry Nicholls
Lia
Joan Telfer Faux, MSc, BEd, Community Advocate and Parent
Shannon Gunn, Elementary School Teacher Peel District School Board
Mignon Morphet
Karen Steward, BA, JD, lawyer
Amit Arya, MD (CCFP), FCFP
B. Friesz, Parent
Tamara Nedd-Roderique, BSc, MSc, BEd, OCT, Ontario Public School Teacher
Lindsay Pratt
Aaron Hirshman, PCP-AIV
Jessica Cowan-Dewar, MSc
April McDonald, OCT
JC Sulzenko, Grandparent
Emily Choy, PhD
Elizabeth Mui MD, CCFP (COE)
Robin Richardson, mom of three
Samir Acharya
Breanne Anderson, HBSc, MSc, RN
Deborah Cecconi
Susan Joudrey, PhD
Andrea Chittle, MD, CCFP
T. Ryan Gregory, PhD, University of Guelph
Nancy Cecchini
Natalie Bourre, BSc, MBA, DBA candidate
Sofia Martimianakis, MA, Industry Reporter, Editor, PV Buzz Media
Jean McGilveray
Mark Adams
Stephen Burke, CEO and Researcher at Magic Innovations Inc.
Shannon Webb-Tabak
Sue Gowans, BA, BScPT, PhD
Mathieu Landry, OCT
Sandra Huh, Parent and parent co-chair of York Communities for Public Education
Allison Murphy
Shelly Findlay
Mary Rancourt
Francesca-Jane Stevenson
Canada - Individuals
Lauralee Dukeshire, MD, CCFP
Lyne Filiatrault, MD Retired Emergency Physician, Protect our Province BC
Malgorzata Gasperowicz, PhD, Developmental Biologist
Jennifer Heighton, Safe Schools Coalition BC
Susan Metzger
Matthew Oliver, P.Eng
Laurence Svirchev, CIH
Mark Ungrin, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Calgary
Theresa Brown
Erica Olson
International - Individuals
Joaquín Beltrán, Speak Up America
Lisa Foreman, APRN-C
Michael Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA, Director of Health Psychology, Tulane University
Asit Kumar Mishra, PhD (HVAC&R), University of Galway
Kimberly Prather, PhD (Distinguished Professor), University of California, San Diego
Jim Rosenthal, BA, MA, Air Relief Technologies, Inc Lindsay Humphreys, School Psychologist, Colorado
Colin Kinner, Director Clean Air Accelerator, Australia
Conor Browne, MA, Biological Risk Consultant, Northern Ireland
Please fill out this form if you would like to endorse this letter and show your support for improving indoor air quality in all Ontario schools and school buses.