Outdoor Education Excursions Under Review

Education Minister Mitzie Hunter

Ontario’s Minister of Education says a review will commence immediately of all school board policies “regarding safety procedures on outdoor education excursions,” following the drowning death of a 15-year-old boy while on a Toronto District School Board-sponsored canoe trip to Algonquin Park in July. 

Mitzie Hunter said yesterday that the Ministry’s review will look at the ratio of adults to students on outdoor excursion trips, as well as various measures that could be taken to ensure compliance with existing policies meant to ensure the safety of students. 

She also said that funding will be increased for the Lifesaving Society and Swim to Survive programs with an emphasis placed on newcomers to ensure they have critical skills like swimming.