Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has expressed strong enthusiasm for a total cellphone ban in schools after visiting Quebec institutions where such a ban is already in place. Speaking to reporters at a North York school on Monday, Calandra described the environment in Quebec schools as a 'completely different atmosphere' that he found 'exciting.'
Quebec's Ban Creates Noticeable Change
Quebec currently enforces a 'bell-to-bell' prohibition on cellphone use in schools. Calandra, who toured several Quebec schools during a meeting with other education ministers, noted the immediate impact. 'The moment you walk in (the schools in Quebec), you can feel it, it was a different environment entirely,' he said.
He observed that in the cafeteria, students were conversing with each other and playing cards instead of scrolling on their phones. In hallways and schoolyards, children were engaged in face-to-face interaction and active play. 'This is maybe a bit nostalgic, but it seemed like the kind of atmosphere that I grew up in, frankly,' Calandra remarked. He added that educators in Quebec reported the ban had 'completely changed the atmosphere in the school.'
Current Ontario Policy
Ontario implemented a partial ban in 2024, prohibiting cellphone use during the school day for students in Grade 6 and younger. For Grades 7 and above, phones are permitted only between classes and during lunch or recess breaks. Quebec and British Columbia have both adopted full bans in recent years.
When asked if Ontario might implement a total ban as soon as the next school year, Calandra indicated he would first gather more feedback from educators and school boards. 'I think I'm pretty excited about it, but I do have to spend a little bit more time with educators here in the province,' he said.
Benefits of a Province-Wide Ban
Calandra emphasized that a provincial mandate would relieve teachers and school staff from the burden of policing phone use in senior grades, transferring that responsibility to the government. He noted that Quebec officials initially faced challenges, especially from parents, but that 'after that parents really, really, really embraced it.'
Interestingly, Quebec schools had to purchase playing cards and sports equipment to provide students with alternative activities once they were no longer spending excessive time on their phones. 'It seems strange to say, but the moment you walk in, you can tell it is a completely different atmosphere,' Calandra reiterated.
Parental Support for Expanded Ban
Earlier this month, two parent groups presented a petition at Queen's Park calling for an expanded cellphone ban, citing classroom distractions and safety risks from increased digital harassment. The petition adds to growing pressure on the Ontario government to follow Quebec's lead.
