The Canadian Constitution Foundation intervened in the Ontario government’s appeal of a decision that found legislation requiring teachers to pass a new math proficiency test (MPT) constituted unconstitutional racial discrimination.
In response to declining math scores, the Ontario government developed policies in 2018 that included all-new teacher candidates successfully complete a MPT before they were certified. These tests were reviewed for bias and cultural insensitivity before they were administered. However, data showed that candidates who identified as non-white failed the test at significantly higher rates than white candidates.
A group called Ontario Teachers Candidates’ Council (OTCC) successfully argued in Ontario’s Divisional Court that the disparities in outcome by race showed a violation of section 15(1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that these math tests were racist.
In our view, it is not an unreasonable policy to require teachers be competent in mathematics and unequal outcomes do not inherently mean something is racist (more here).
Thankfully, the Ontario Court of Appeal agreed with the CCF (see our release). We do not expect this ridiculous challenge to go further.
Math is not racist (Petrucci v. Ontario)

CCF Launch: September 14, 2023
Jurisdiction: Ontario
Status: Closed
Next Key Date: Concluded (Victory!)
Donate
Related Press Releases: