Parent Steps Up to Record OCDSB Meetings After Livestreaming is Halted

Engagement with Ottawa-Carleton School Board Meetings Faces Challenges

Controversy Over Ban on Livestreaming School Board Meetings

Cathy Varrette, a dedicated participant in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) committee meetings, has long relied on livestreams to remain involved. Frequently hosting watch parties with other parents of special-needs children, Varrette appreciates the convenience online broadcasts provide, allowing her to manage her child’s bedtime routine. This week, however, the landscape shifted dramatically when the provincial education ministry halted all livestreaming of committee meetings, leading Varrette to attend in person and document the meeting herself.

Upon her arrival, Varrette faced restrictions against filming, sparking discontent. “If we don’t fight this, we lose our transparency,” she stated. While the board initially blocked her recording based on policies requiring consent, a break in proceedings led to renewed permission after agreement from attendees. A board spokesperson maintained that public or media livestreaming remains prohibited, unraveling concerns around transparency and accessibility.

Impact on Accessibility and Participation

The sudden ban on livestreaming has sparked debate about accessibility and human rights issues. According to Anthony Wong, co-chair of the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils and a parent committee member, this decision disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities, obstructing easy access to meeting communications. “People with various disabilities, and the public in general, need accessible channels to engage with meeting content,” emphasized Wong.

• Accessibility for disabled individuals is limited without livestream options.
• Online participation is essential for those unable to attend in person.
• Transparency of school board proceedings is under scrutiny.

Defense from Education Ministry

In defense of the move, Education Minister Paul Calandra highlighted the need for focused, productive meetings that prioritize student achievement over political discourse. Calandra asserted that meetings would remain open to public attendance, with hybrid participation options and materials such as agendas and minutes available online. However, the exclusion of media from recording broadcasts remains a point of contention. “I aimed to maintain a constructive and professional environment centered on student success,” explained Calandra.

Political Reactions to Livestream Restrictions

Chandra Pasma, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean and education critic for the NDP, criticized the decision, emphasizing its potential to obscure transparency and limit parental involvement. “These meetings, held under supervision and in public view, are crucial for parents tracing developments in educational decisions,” Pasma remarked. She highlighted that the ability to view meetings remotely was a significant accessibility measure, especially for parents of special-needs children who might find it challenging to attend in person. “Preventing remote access is a profound accessibility concern,” she added.

Efforts to secure an interview with OCDSB supervisor Robert Plamondon were unsuccessful as he declined to comment on the situation.