Student Voice in Canadian Education Agencies

Following are a variety of examples of student voice in Canadian education agencies.

Student voice is happening in a growing number of agencies in Canada.

Every province in the nation has a Ministry of Education, as well as local education districts for both public schools and religious schools. These all deal with early childhood education, K-12 schools and higher education. Other government education agencies address specific populations, including Native communities and others.

Local Districts / Divisions

Every province is divided into districts or divisions. Board members or trustees are elected to lead the district. School boards follow their province’s common curriculum.

• Student Trustees in Alberta
  • Calgary (Public Student Advisory Council, Catholic Student Advisory Council)
  • Edmonton Student Advisory Council
• Student Trustees in British Columbia
  • Sunshine Coast Student Trustees
  • Vancouver Student Trustees
  • Vancouver District Students’ Council
• Student Trustees in New Brunswick
• Student Trustees in Ontario

Ministries of Education

• Alberta Education
  • Student Advisory Council
  • Speak Out
• British Columbia Ministry of Education
• Manitoba Education and Literacy
• New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education
• Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture
• Nunavut Department of Education
• Northwest Territories Department of Education and Employment
• Ontario Ministry of Education
  • Student Advisory Council
  • Speak Up
• Prince Edward Island Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
• Québec Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports
• Saskatchewan Education
• Yukon Education

Related Content

• Province-By-Province Laws Affecting Student Involvement in Decision-Making
• Students as Advisors
• The Guide to Student Voice

Elsewhere Online

• DECODE (2010) Student Council Participation and Broader Civic Engagement: A Preliminary Study. Library of Parliment.
• Critchley, S. (2003) “The Nature and Extent of Student Involvement in Educational Policy-Making in Canadian School Systems,”  Educational Management Administration & Leadership. 31: 97.