Administrative Procedure 153
Elections
Background
Where federal, provincial, or local election campaigns are in progress, the following general procedures apply to ensure that schools are not identified with a specific political stance.
Procedures
- No class time shall be made available for uninvited political speakers.
- Discretion shall be used in inviting speakers who have political positions to present. If any are
presented, then all parties must be given equal opportunity. Teachers shall clear the matter
with the Principal or Director of Education before extending invitations or
granting approval. - Where election issues are dealt with by the staff in current events or other areas, steps must be
taken to ensure that each party’s position is fairly stated. - No political advertising will be posted, distributed, and/or published in schools except that it
may be used by teachers to illustrate, in an objective fashion, the workings of the political
process. - From the date an election is called until after election day, candidates for political office may
be given the opportunity to address students, but only if taking part in a panel debate wherein
all parties contesting the seat are represented.
Reference
Section 85, 87, 175, 231 Education Act, 1995
Section 38 The School Division Administration Regulations
Created
April 14, 2009
Revised
June 2009
November 2013
December 2017
August 2023