Ontario Government: 1) Ontario failed to collect nearly $10M owed by alleged animal abusers: documents; 2) Ontario to cut length of teachers’ college, increase practical element

1)Ontario failed to collect nearly $10M owed by alleged animal abusers: documents

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Liam Casey, April 10, 2026

Ontario has failed to collect more than 90 per cent of money owed by alleged animal abusers whose pets, livestock or menagerie were seized during investigations, The Canadian Press has learned.

Since 2019, the province has charged owners money to care for animals seized by Animal Welfare Services to the tune of $10,633,241, documents obtained by an animal advocacy group through freedom-of-information laws show.

But the Ministry of Finance has only collected $1,020,582 over the past seven years, leaving more than $9 million outstanding.

“I’m going to look into that and thank you for bringing it to my attention,” Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, who is responsible for the welfare of animals across the province, said when asked about the uncollected millions.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the collection of the money owed. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The province launched Animal Welfare Services in 2019 after the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a private charity, abdicated its role in enforcing animal cruelty laws.

The province has about 100 animal welfare inspectors who investigate allegations of animal cruelty in every nook and cranny in Ontario, from pets in homes to animals on farms and menageries in zoos and aquariums.

Kerzner defended the work of Ontario’s animal welfare inspectors.

“These are committed people that have a passion of protecting our animals,” he said.

At issue is what’s known as the “statement of account” issued to animal owners by Animal Welfare Services for “costs incurred for the care, treatment, shelter and other necessary services provided to the animals while in the protective custody of AWS and before forfeiture of the animals,” the government document says.

“It’s really quite shocking that only nine or 10 per cent are being collected,” said Donna Power, president of advocacy group Humane Initiative. Power filed the freedom-of-information request last year in an effort to figure out how the province is conducting its business of protecting animals.

“And I really have very, very little confidence in AWS and in the solicitor general, so I file FOIs when they won’t give me answers that I want,” Power said.

“It’s very upsetting. I know everyone’s got their thing. My thing is animal welfare and it’s just incredible how this government has completely vacated their responsibility.”

Power then asked the Ministry of Finance questions about its low collection rate and what it was doing so that taxpayers weren’t left to foot the bill.

“The Ministry of Finance conducts progressive collection activities on defaulted Animal Welfare Services invoices,” a collection specialist with the ministry wrote to Power.

“These activities include phone calls, letters, skip tracing and negotiating payment arrangements with clients. Effective February 2026, the MOF has authority to use enhanced collection tools — such as liens, warrants and garnishments — to improve recovery on outstanding AWS accounts.”

If payment isn’t negotiated within 180 days, the collection specialist wrote, the bill could be referred to “one of four contracted private collection agencies.”

It’s more tough talk, but little action from the government, said interim Liberal leader John Fraser.

“What’s the point in enforcing something if there is no penalty?” he said. “The enforcement of the law is what generally changes behaviour.”

Premier Doug Ford’s government is sending a message that it is not serious about enforcing animal protection laws, said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.

“Alleged abusers are being let off the hook to the tune of $9 million, which will do nothing to deter future crimes,” he said.

Both Fraser and Schreiner said the province needs to step up its efforts to enforce the law.

2)Ontario to cut length of teachers’ college, increase practical element

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Allison Jones, April 10, 2026

The length of teachers’ college in Ontario will soon be cut in half, from two years to one, and have a greater emphasis on practical components as a way to address shortages.

A return to the one-year system Ontario had a decade ago is being welcomed by teachers’ groups and principals, though they say it will only address the recruitment side of a teacher supply issue, not retention.

Most programs are currently four semesters and under upcoming legislation, teachers’ college across the province would be delivered in three consecutive semesters over 12 months, Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced.

“This change would get future teachers into the classroom faster, jump-starting fulfilling careers and meeting the needs of communities across Ontario,” he said at a press conference in Oakville, Ont.

“In addition to a shortened program, under this legislation we would explore new pathways into the teaching profession, because we know there are talented, passionate individuals with relevant experience that would make them a better teacher, and we believe they should be recognized for it, for example, those with early childhood education backgrounds.”

The government will also consult to establish a minimum practicum length as a way to emphasize real, in-class experience.

Ontario currently has among the shortest practicum lengths in Canada for teachers, at 80 days. The Ontario Teachers’ Federation has previously urged a consecutive three semesters of teachers’ college over 12 months and 100 days of practicum.

Education Minister Paul Calandra said prospective teachers need to be in front of a classroom for a longer period of time.

“We’ve heard it’s just not long enough,” he said. “The goal is to make it one of the highest practicums in the country and I think that’ll lead to better results for our student teachers.”

Calandra said the changes for teachers’ college will be included in legislation to be tabled Monday, which will also address school board governance and trustees.

Teachers’ college in the province used to be one year, but in 2015 the then-Liberal government made it two years in response to a teacher surplus.

Now, however, the province is grappling with a shortage, which internal ministry documents have in recent years said could get worse in 2027. Shortages of French and technological education teachers are particularly acute.

Martha Hradowy, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, said teacher working conditions and class sizes must improve if the province hopes to actually retain all the new teachers it graduates.

“I believe that this is a step in the right direction, but it only opens the front door, and right now, teachers are walking out the back,” she said.

Shirley Bell, first vice-president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, said to help on the retention side, the province must also put more supports in schools in the form of educational assistants, social workers and psychologists, to name a few.

“That will help address the needs of our students because that’s what this is about,” Bell said.

“What we need is for our professionals — our teachers and our educators — to get the support in their classrooms to support student learning. When we can do that, then we can address the complexities of what’s happening in the classroom and that’s how we can retain more teachers in the profession.”

The Ontario Teachers’ Federation has estimated that there are about 48,000 teachers who are certified but not currently working in the province’s education system.

Jeff Maharaj, president of the Ontario Principals’ Council, said he is hopeful the announcement will make a difference, but more still needs to be done.

“Do I think it’s going to fix the recruitment and retention issues?” he said. “I think it will help. I don’t think it’s a one-stop solution.”

Universities that offer teacher education stand to lose out as students attend for one fewer semester. Steve Orsini, president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities, said in a statement that universities recognize the importance of getting teachers into the classroom in a timely and affordable manner.

“Continued collaboration with the sector will be essential to address financial impacts, ensuring that teacher education programs are positioned to deliver the high-quality preparation that leads to excellent teachers in Ontario’s classrooms,” he wrote.

The province in last year’s budget put about $56 million toward faculties of education to train 2,600 new teachers by 2027. As well, Quinn said that a recent announcement of $6.4 billion for colleges and universities included $150 million for teacher education programs.

Friday’s announcement also includes $16.8 million to increase the honorarium for associate teachers, who supervise student teachers during practicum placements.