It is not Shakespeare or no Shakespeare scenario in Ontario. What it is happening is rather than students maybe reading 4 Shakespeare plays over their high school career, they will now read 2 plays and then read other material.

In the senior grades, English students are often given the choice of reading 1 of 10 or 12 books available in the department.  This could include other iconic writers such as Dickens or Harper Lee or it may include more recently acclaimed writers who represent diversity.   I am aware of schools in less diverse parts of the province than Peel that are reading The Book of Negroes or Three Day Road or No Great Mischief etc.  

These are all good books that will still allow students to learn the main principles of reading and writing and thinking about issues in the world.

It is Shakespeare plus many other writers that provide students some choice on what they read.