TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses suicide and includes accusations of mistreatment.
A group of approximately twenty former students of Robert Land Academy convened at Queen’s Park in Toronto to advocate for enhanced oversight of private schools in Ontario following allegations of abuse at the now-shuttered military-style institution.
Their demands for change were prompted by a recent CBC News investigation revealing historical instances of physical and emotional mistreatment, along with allegations of sexual exploitation, at the Wellandport school.
An examination of records and CBC’s findings uncovered that some instructors at Robert Land Academy had criminal records during their tenure in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Chandra Pasma, a member of the provincial parliament and the NDP’s education critic, emphasized the urgency to prevent institutional abuse disguised as education, stating, “Immediate actions are necessary to prevent such occurrences.”
During the news briefing at Queen’s Park, the education critic announced plans to introduce a private member’s bill later this year, focusing on mandatory vulnerable sector checks for private school personnel.
Advocacy for State Involvement in Private School Oversight
Former students highlighted their own ordeals to underscore the necessity for Ontario to play a more active role in regulating private educational institutions.
Unlike public schools, private schools do not mandate stringent background checks for staff that could reveal prior criminal charges.
The closure of Robert Land Academy in June and its subsequent bankruptcy have led to legal actions by 120 ex-students seeking redress for alleged mistreatment dating back primarily to the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, and extending into the 2010s.
The veracity of the allegations has not been judicially tested.
Jarett Holmes, who, along with his brother Evan, attended Robert Land Academy in 1999 at the age of 14, revealed instances of isolation, physical abuse, forced labor, and the suppression of attempts to communicate with family.
“Stringent measures must be imposed on individuals working with children, especially those at risk,” emphasized Jarett. “This should never have occurred. To all political parties, NDPs, Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, please take note. This is not a political matter; it’s about safeguarding children.”
Jarett mentioned unsuccessful attempts by former students to engage with Education Minister Paul Calandra regarding their concerns.
In response, the minister’s press secretary, Emma Test