Provincial and territorial ministers of education gathered in Toronto on June 26 for the 113th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). Under the chairmanship of Ontario’s Minister of Education, the Honourable Paul Calandra, ministers focused on shared challenges and priorities, including student safety, technology use in schools, and preparing learners for future labour markets.
“This was a productive meeting focused on real, practical solutions — keeping students safe and helping them graduate with the skills they need to prepare them for success,” said Minister Calandra, emphasizing the importance of accountability and improved student outcomes.
Founded in 1967, CMEC is the collective voice of Canada’s ministers of education, providing pan-Canadian and international leadership while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction over education.
Ministers exchanged strategies to promote respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environments — both in response to rising concerns about bullying and violence in schools, and in the wake of ongoing natural disasters. With parts of Canada facing active wildfires, members discussed measures to minimize educational disruption and maximize safety and mental health supports for students during and after emergencies.
Data-informed prevention and intervention strategies were highlighted, reflecting an increasing emphasis on evidence-based approaches to fostering safe school climates.
One of the most closely watched topics was cellphone use in schools. Ministers compared approaches ranging from classroom restrictions to full bans, with discussions focusing on impacts on student attention, mental health, and academic achievement. Experiences from both Canadian jurisdictions and international examples were shared, as provinces and territories look for policies that support positive, balanced technology use in learning environments.
In a plenary session, institutional and technology experts contributed to conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital tools. Ministers explored how these innovations can enhance teaching and learning while underscoring the need for ethical, inclusive policies. The discussions reflected a growing pan-Canadian interest in harnessing AI’s potential while safeguarding equity and student well-being.
Ministers examined how K–12 and postsecondary systems can better prepare students for future careers and active citizenship. They discussed strategies to align education with evolving provincial and territorial labour-market needs and addressed the impacts of changing U.S. partnerships on postsecondary collaboration.
Canada’s international reputation as a destination for education was also on the agenda, with ministers calling for closer collaboration with the federal government on policies affecting international students.
The meeting concluded with Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, the Honourable Pascale Déry, assuming the CMEC chairmanship. Minister Déry signalled continued collaboration to address shared workforce and innovation challenges, stating: “At the core of our priorities is excellence and accessibility for the benefit of all students throughout Canada and society.”
Over the next year, CMEC members agreed to review and refocus their shared priorities to better address common challenges in education. For educators and school leaders across Canada, these national conversations may foreshadow evolving policies on technology use, AI integration, student well-being, and skills development — all areas that directly impact classrooms and communities.
Source: Press release
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