Ottawa School Board Allows Meeting Recordings, Bans Live-Streaming

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has amended its policies to allow recordings of public governance meetings but has decided against permitting live-streaming. This change comes under the leadership of provincial supervisor Bob Plamondon, who has been tasked with overseeing the board’s operations since his appointment on June 27, 2023.

According to board spokesperson Diane Pernari, the adjustment aims to clarify existing policies that were initially designed to protect the privacy of students and staff. “The amendments are being made to ensure that the intention and scope of the application are clear,” Pernari stated.

Controversy Over Public Access

The decision to prohibit live-streaming has sparked debate regarding public access to the board’s decision-making process. Under the current supervisory structure, all decision-making authority resides with Plamondon rather than the elected trustees. This shift has raised concerns among parents and advocacy groups about transparency and inclusivity.

During a recent meeting of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) on October 8, 2023, a pause was prompted when Cathy Varrette, a parent of a student with autism, live-streamed the session using her cellphone. While she was not stopped from recording, the incident highlighted the board’s restrictive approach to public engagement. Following the meeting, Varrette expressed her determination to continue live-streaming SEAC meetings, stating, “We’re not going to stop. It’s a public space. Everyone has a recording device on them now.”

At another meeting of the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) on October 14, 2023, attendees were asked to sign a form prohibiting any recording without consent. In response to this, OCDSB legal representative Jesse Mark confirmed that the meeting was public and statements made could be cited. Pernari clarified that consent is not required for recordings in public governance meetings moving forward.

Calls for Transparent Governance

The AODA Alliance, a disability advocacy group, has voiced its concerns over the board’s stance on live-streaming. David Lepovsky, the chair of the AODA Alliance and a former academic specializing in freedom of expression law, criticized the board’s justification for limiting public access. “If live-streaming was done before the Ford government took over the board, then the same should continue to take place now,” he argued. Lepovsky emphasized that restricting access to such meetings undermines the rights of students with disabilities and their families.

Comments from parents reflect similar frustrations. Anthony Wong, a member of SEAC, stated, “It’s troubling that the board refuses to live-stream its meetings — and worse, that it’s not even making recordings accessible.” He called for open meetings and transparency, asserting that when public bodies limit access, they distance themselves from the communities they serve.

Varrette highlighted the community aspect of watching these meetings, illustrating that when live-streamed, SEAC meetings attracted between 15 and 50 viewers, with a notable spike to 145 participants during her recent stream. “Changing programs will be talked about. We want information in real time,” she stated.

The next SEAC meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2023, and parents hope to continue advocating for greater transparency in the board’s operations. As discussions around public access to school board meetings continue, the OCDSB faces growing pressure to reassess its policies in light of community needs.