Oapce in action

OAPCE is pleased to invite parents, guardians, educators, and community partners to our 87th Annual Conference, taking place in April 2026. This year’s conference theme, “Coming Together as One,” reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Catholic education through collaboration, faith, and parent engagement across Ontario. Conference Details Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026Location: St. Francis Xavier Secondary SchoolHost Board: Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board The OAPCE Annual Conference is an opportunity to connect with families and education partners from across the province, participate in meaningful learning sessions, and celebrate the important role parents play in Catholic education. More details, including the agenda and registration information, will be shared soon. We encourage you to mark your calendar and stay tuned for updates. We look forward to welcoming you in 2026. Note: seeking vendors/exhibitors and sponsors for our conference if you are interested please contact us at [email protected] The OAPCE TeamOntario Association of Parents in Catholic Education

In The Voice of Catholic Parents, OAPCE affirms the importance of a strong parent voice in publicly funded Catholic education. Prepared for CPCO, the article highlights how meaningful parent engagement and advocacy help protect Catholic values, strengthen schools, and support student success. The article also underscores the value of partnership between families and school leadership. Take a look and thank you to the CPCO for their ongoing partnership! 

A Hope-Filled Start to 2026 As we begin 2026, we do so with renewed hope and a steady confidence in what lies ahead. A new year invites fresh beginnings, meaningful growth, and shared purpose, and we look forward to continuing this journey alongside you in support of Catholic education across Ontario. In every season, Christ remains the source of our strength, wisdom, and love. Rooted in Him, we are better equipped to build school communities where every student is known, supported, and encouraged to flourish, academically, socially, and spiritually. To our parents and guardians, thank you for your ongoing trust and partnership. Your dedication, involvement, and advocacy are essential, and together we can continue to strengthen the learning environments our children deserve. As OAPCE, we remain committed to our mission to engage, advocate, and enhance the gift of Catholic education. Guided by faith and grounded in respectful collaboration, we will continue working with families, schools, boards, and partners to support student well-being and excellence across the province. Wishing you a blessed, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead. Warm regards, The OAPCE TeamOntario Association of Parents in Catholic Education

Advocating for Catholic Education begins with making your voice heard—and one of the most effective ways to do that is by reaching out to your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). MPPs represent your concerns at Queen’s Park, and hearing directly from constituents helps them understand the issues that matter most to families. 1. Identify Your MPP Parents can easily find their local MPP by using their home address on the Ontario Legislative Assembly’s “Find My MPP” tool. Each riding has one elected representative, and this is the person responsible for bringing forward your concerns. 2. Choose How You Want to Reach Out There are several effective ways to contact your MPP. Parents can use one or a combination of the following: Email Writing an email is one of the fastest and simplest ways to share your views.A good advocacy email: Phone Call A brief phone call to the constituency office can be just as powerful.Parents may speak directly to office staff, who relay messages to the MPP. It’s helpful to clearly state: In-Person Meeting Meeting with your MPP—either at the constituency office or virtually—can have a strong impact.To request a meeting: Attend Public Events MPPs often attend community events, town halls, or local celebrations. These can be opportunities for parents to introduce themselves and briefly share their concerns in a friendly, informal setting. 3. What to Say: Key Message Ideas When advocating for Catholic Education, parents can focus on messages such as: 4. Be Respectful, Honest, and Persistent Elected officials are more likely to engage when parents communicate respectfully and constructively. Advocacy is most effective when: 5. Encourage Collective Action Matching individual advocacy with community support can amplify your voice. Parents can:

The Ontario government’s recently introduced Bill 33: The Supporting Children and Students Act has raised concern among parent advocacy groups, particularly around the role of parental voice and local accountability in education. If passed, Bill 33 will grant the Minister of Education expanded authority to intervene in school boards where issues like financial mismanagement or governance failures arise. It also includes a mandate for school boards to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs where offered by local police—reigniting debate on the presence of police in schools. Some parent organizations worry that these changes may shift too much power away from local school boards—where parents have traditionally had opportunities to raise concerns—and toward the provincial level. OAPCE’s Response Joe Perri, Co-Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE), emphasized the organization’s continued commitment to Catholic education’s faith-centered governance model, which is built on collaboration between parents, Catholic trustees, and clergy. “Our ultimate aim is to make certain that Catholic schools are faithful to their mission—educating students in mind, body and spirit—and that local boards have the autonomy necessary to reflect the Gospel values at the centre of Catholic education,” Perri stated. OAPCE remains committed to being an engaged partner in policy dialogue and consultations with the Ministry of Education, always advocating for the parent voice in Catholic education. We encourage parents to stay informed, ask questions, and continue participating in meaningful dialogue about the future of education in Ontario.