Today’s criminal charges limit what we can comment on, however we can say that we hold Jeremiah’s family in our thoughts at this difficult time and we will continue to support them in any way we can. We remain deeply troubled by our findings released last summer that critical safety requirements, such as passing a swim test, do not appear to have been followed by the lead teacher supervising the trip. Despite this, we have already strengthened our checks and balances to ensure something similar can never happen again, including:

• Ensuring all future trips of this kind will be approved only after the Principal of the school sees and reviews documentation showing that only those students who passed the appropriate test will be going on the trip.
• All students participating in a pre-trip canoe/swim test will be given the results of this test.
• All parents of children taking part in future trips that include swimming and/or canoeing will receive and acknowledge their child’s canoe/swim test results prior to the trip. They will know that if their child is going on a trip, they have passed the test.

Throughout the investigation, we have cooperated with police and we will continue to do, as well as with the Crown Attorney’s office. The TDSB can now resume its internal investigation, which was suspended last year at the direction of the OPP. In the meantime, Nicholas Mills remains on home assignment, where he has been since Jeremiah’s tragic death.

Chronology of Events:

July 4, 2017 – Jeremiah Perry tragically drowns on a school trip to Algonquin Park.

July 5, 2017 – TDSB launches internal investigation

July 11, 2017 –Nicholas Mills is placed on home assignment.

August 16, 2017 – Director of Education John Malloy releases preliminary findings and announces strengthened safety measures.

August 25, 2017 – OPP begins criminal investigation and directs TDSB to suspend internal investigation.

July 26, 2018 — OPP announces charge of Criminal Negligence Causing Death against Teacher Nicholas Mills and TDSB resumes internal investigation.