Ontario Winter: How School Bus Cancellations Are Decided

With winter approaching, many Ontario families may wake up wondering whether school buses will be cancelled during severe weather.

The call to cancel transportation isn’t as simple as checking the forecast, and the process can vary widely from one school to another.

Decisions to cancel buses or close schools are made early in the morning by a team including directors, transportation staff, and communications personnel. The team reviews the weather forecast, road conditions, and safety risks, and posts cancellations on school board websites and social media by 6 a.m.

About 93 per cent of students don’t take the school bus, so transportation is often cancelled while schools remain open to avoid leaving many families without childcare.

When school-provided transportation is cancelled, all buses and specialized vehicles are cancelled for both the morning and afternoon. Students won’t be marked absent on these days, and families can decide whether it’s safe to send their children to school.

Transportation authorities review forecasts, check radar, monitor road conditions, and consult neighboring regions before notifying families of cancellations. Notifications typically begin around 5:30–6 a.m. via websites and social media.

As winter weather intensifies across Ontario, families are encouraged to monitor school board websites and local forecasts closely. The priority is clear: keeping students and drivers safe during severe winter conditions.