CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide and includes accusations of mistreatment.
A group of approximately twenty former students of Robert Land Academy gathered at Queen’s Park in Toronto to advocate for improved oversight of private schools in Ontario, following reports of abuse at the now-closed military-style institution.
The call for action came in response to a recent CBC News investigation uncovering allegations of historical physical and emotional abuse, as well as instances of potential sexual misconduct at the Wellandport private school.
Investigations revealed that certain instructors at Robert Land had criminal records during their tenure at the school in the 1990s and early 2000s.
During a press conference, Chandra Pasma, a member of the provincial parliament and the education critic for the NDP, emphasized the need to prevent institutional abuse under the guise of education, stressing the immediate actions required to address the issue.
During the event at Queen’s Park, the education critic announced plans for a private member’s bill to be introduced in the upcoming season, focusing on mandatory vulnerable sector checks for private school staff.
Appeal for Increased Oversight of Private Schools in Ontario
Former students highlighted their own ordeals as a reason for increased government involvement in regulating private schools in Ontario.
Unlike public schools, staff at these institutions are not mandated to undergo thorough vulnerable-sector background checks to flag past criminal charges.
Robert Land Academy ceased operations in June and declared bankruptcy. Meanwhile, around 120 former students have initiated legal actions to address the alleged abuse they claim to have endured primarily throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, extending into the 2010s.
It should be noted that the accusations have not been litigated.
Jarett Holmes, who attended Robert Land with his brother Evan in 1999 at the age of 14, shared accounts of being isolated from his sibling, subjected to physical abuse, forced labor, and forbidden from contacting his parents about his treatment.
“Stringent measures must be put in place for those working with children, particularly vulnerable youth,” Jarett emphasized. “This should never have occurred. To all political parties, this is beyond politics; it is about safeguarding children.”
Jarett mentioned attempts by former students to engage with Education Minister Paul Calandra, with no response received.
In an email, the minister’s press secretary Emma Testani stated that