Report School Bullying in Ottawa - Bylaw & School Steps

Education Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In Ottawa, Ontario, addressing bullying in schools involves the school principal, the school board and, in some cases, police or provincial education authorities. This guide explains where to report bullying, who enforces rules, likely sanctions and how to follow up so parents, students and staff can act promptly and with documentation.

Penalties & Enforcement

Ontario school discipline and bullying response are primarily handled by school boards under provincial education law and board policies; criminal or threatening behaviour may be referred to police. The provincial guidance describes progressive discipline, roles and reporting paths but does not list municipal bylaw fines for conduct in schools.Ontario Ministry of Education - Bullying prevention and intervention[1]

  • Typical school sanctions: suspension and expulsion processes administered by the school principal and school board; specific monetary fines for bullying are not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: progressive discipline is recommended (interventions, restorative measures, suspensions, expulsions); exact escalation timelines and ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcers: school principal, school board Safe Schools staff, and Ottawa Police Service for criminal matters; police reporting procedures are available for threats or criminal harassment.Ottawa Police - Report a crime[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders, suspensions, expulsions, restorative measures, behavioural plans and referrals to community supports.
  • Appeals and reviews: review routes follow school board procedures (appeals to the board); specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page and will depend on board policy.
Report safety threats to police immediately; non-criminal incidents go to the school first.

Applications & Forms

There is typically no single provincial “bullying complaint form” to submit; families report incidents to the school principal or to board-designated contacts. For criminal incidents, use police reporting channels. If you need the school board policy or appeal forms, contact the board office or check the board website for published procedures.

  • To report to the school: contact the principal by phone or email and request that the incident be recorded in the school’s safe-schools log.
  • To escalate: request the board’s Safe Schools or student discipline contact and ask for the board’s appeal or review form if applicable.

Action Steps

  • Document incidents: dates, times, witnesses, messages/screenshots and physical evidence.
  • Contact the school principal promptly and request a meeting; ask for written confirmation the report was received.
  • If there is a safety threat, contact Ottawa Police Service and follow their reporting instructions.Ottawa Police - Report a crime[2]
  • If unsatisfied with the school response, request the board review process and submit any required appeal documentation to the school board office.
Keep copies of all emails and notes of phone calls to support any appeal.

FAQ

How do I report bullying at my child’s school?
Contact the school principal to file a report and request that the incident be recorded; for criminal behaviour, contact Ottawa Police Service.
Can I get the school to discipline another student?
The principal and board handle discipline under provincial rules; parents can request interventions or appeals through the board’s Safe Schools process.
Are there fines or bylaw penalties for bullying?
Monetary fines for bullying in schools are not specified on the cited provincial guidance; school sanctions are mainly non-monetary such as suspensions or expulsions.

How-To

  1. Record the incident in detail, including dates, times, witness names and copies of messages or images.
  2. Contact the school principal to report the incident and ask for written confirmation that a report was filed.
  3. If the incident involves threats or criminal behaviour, contact Ottawa Police Service to file a report and follow police instructions.
  4. If the school response is inadequate, request the school board’s review or appeal process and submit supporting documentation.

Key Takeaways

  • Report first to the school; escalate to the board or police as needed.
  • Document everything and keep written records for appeals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Ontario Ministry of Education - Bullying prevention and intervention
  2. [2] Ottawa Police - Report a crime

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