January 28th, 2026

"Better call Paul,” Pasma joins parents calling for urgent action to support students with disabilities

OTTAWA — On the anniversary of Ford government inaction, advocates warn conditions for students with disabilities are worsening and demand urgent action. NDP Shadow Minister for Education MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West–Nepean) released the following statement:

"Minister Calandra’s handpicked school supervisors are failing to support parents struggling to get answers about their kids’ education. Instead of giving them answers, the government just added more bureaucracy.

“Families of children with disabilities have been telling the Minister how important local trustees are in getting the support they need. Instead, the Minister of Education has done the opposite of what we need by imposing Conservative insiders with zero education experience who are making decisions that are harming children with disabilities.

The Minister needs to show parents some respect, restore democratically elected and accountable trustees, and invest in special education, rather than $350,000 salaries for Conservative appointees.”