Peel District School Board Faces Potential Teacher Layoffs Amid Enrollment Decline

More than 330 permanent teachers in the Peel District School Board (PDSB) have been notified they may be laid off by the end of the upcoming school year, sparking concerns from unions and raising questions about the impact of recent provincial oversight. The potential job losses come as the board grapples with declining student enrollment and a recent takeover by the Ministry of Education.

Surplus Declarations and Potential Layoffs

On Monday, March 10, 2026, 159 secondary teachers at PDSB received notices indicating they were surplus to the region’s needs. CP24 reports this follows a similar announcement two weeks prior, where 172 elementary teachers were informed their positions were also “surplus to region.”

Union leaders fear that as many as 200 teachers could ultimately be laid off if they are not recalled to permanent positions. Nadia Goode, president of the Peel Elementary Teachers’ Local, described the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that in previous years, all surplus teachers were typically recalled. CP24

Provincial Oversight and Budgetary Constraints

The PDSB came under provincial supervision in late January 2026, with the Ministry of Education stripping trustees of their power. This intervention was initially prompted by the board’s plan to lay off 60 long-term occasional teachers, a move the Ministry feared would disrupt student learning. The Toronto Star

However, former PDSB Trustee David Green asserts that the Ministry rejected a proposal to utilize $1 to $2 million from the board’s $130 million reserves to prevent teacher layoffs. The Toronto Star He claims this decision left the board “in a vulnerable position” as it faced a decline of 2,300 students this year, with a projected further decline of 1,100 to 1,800 students next year.

Union Response and Concerns

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) District 19 – Peel Region has criticized the Ford government and Minister of Education Paul Calandra for the layoffs, calling the move “devastating” and “irresponsible.” CP24 The OSSTF is calling on the government to halt the layoffs until accurate enrollment figures are available.

Goode also expressed concern that the provincial takeover has worsened the situation, citing existing financial constraints and limited resources within school boards. She believes the province is “stripping away funding, resources and support and blaming us for the fallout.” CP24

The Ministry of Education, through press secretary Emma Testani, maintains that the layoff notices are part of routine planning and are distinct from the trustees’ previous plan for mid-year layoffs, which would have caused disruption to student learning. The Toronto Star