Mischa Barton Speaks About Ontario’s Education System
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ToggleIt feels like 2025 so far has just been a collection of extremely random news events and pop culture moments happening all at once. And today is no exception. So let’s talk about it!
Although political discussions on Instagram and TikTok are NOTHING new, random ’00s celebrities don’t usually speak up about issues happening in a totally different country than their own. But to my sheer surprise, it’s happening to Ontario, Canada!
I know you’re confused, so first, some context. Essentially, Ontario’s public education system hasn’t been doing too hot recently. Ever since 2018, Ontario “has been spending less and less on schools” — specifically, funding has dropped by $1,500 per student. Which is a LOT.
Sooooo, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation took matters into their own hands and launched a fictional “show” called Ford High — named after Doug Ford, the current Premier of Ontario. It’s a campaign that responds to the province’s education crisis with some cold, hard facts…annnnnd celeb videos. Because let’s be honest: the internet probably cares more about that second thing.
There have been three ’00s celebs featured so far — starting with Mischa Barton, who starred in The O.C. “There’s a new show you should watch. It’s called Ford High,” she says in a TikTok video. “But in order to stream it, you just have to go to any public school in Ontario.”
“The government is defunding public education. Class sizes are way too big and students don’t get the support that they need,” she explains. “Schools need repairs and it’s impacting teens’ education. Teachers and education workers are suffering day-to-day.”
“Your province is at risk because these teens are our present, and our future,” she says. “I went to public school in Manhattan and I know that if I hadn’t had that experience growing up, my life would be very different.”
Also featured in videos for Ford High are Daniel Franzese, who played Damian in the original Mean Girls movie, and Stacie Mistysyn from Degrassi High. Of the three stars, Stacie is the only one who is Canadian, so that’s why these videos feel a bit…RANDOM.
Defunding public education is a serious issue, but naturally, the internet has been responding with some pretty hilarious comments. Here are some highlights that made me giggle:
So yeah, that happened! Now, tell me what you think of this “when worlds collide” moment in the comments below. Seriously, I wanna know your thoughts, because my mind is kinda just blank.
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