Bill 58

Bill 582000

An Act to amend the Education Act regarding Youth News Network-style contracts to expose students to advertising and other content

Preamble

It is increasingly common for cash-strapped boards of education to enter into contracts with businesses in which the board agrees to expose students to advertisements in the classroom. An example is the Youth News Network, which proposes to broadcast news and advertising into schools.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1.Section 171 of the Education Act, as amended by the Statutes of Ontario, 1991, chapter 10, section 5, 1992, chapter 32, section 9, 1993, chapter 11, section 31, 1996, chapter 2, section 65, 1996, chapter 13, section 6, 1996, chapter 32, section 70, and 1997, chapter 31, section 82, is further amended by adding the following subsections:

Contracts prohibited

(6)No board shall enter into a contract with a person in which the board is obliged to expose any student to any advertising or other content presented in any medium, as part of an instructional program or as part of an event in the school day at which attendance is mandatory.

Contract terms void

(7)A term of a contract which conflicts with subsection (6) is void.

Commencement

2.This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3.The short title of this Act is the Youth News Network-Style Marketing Prohibition Act, 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 171 of the Education Act concerns the powers of Boards of Education. The Bill adds two subsections to section 171. The new subsections prohibit a board from entering into a contract with a person in which the board is obliged to expose any student to any advertising or other content presented in any medium, as part of an instructional program. If such a term exists in a contract with a Board, it is void.