Ontario investing $1.1B to improve school buildings
By Corinne Lynds
Construction Infrastructure infrastructure investment Ontario schoolsOntario is making a historic $1.1-billion investment to repair and renew schools across the province so they continue to be safe and modern places for students to learn.
The $1.1-billion investment builds on $1.6 billion in existing funding that has been allocated for repairs and renewals over the next two school years, for a total of $2.7 billion. The funding will enable school boards to repair roofs, update HVAC units and modernize electrical and plumbing systems. It will also significantly improve more visible elements of schools that impact students’ learning and well-being, including flooring, walls, ceilings, playing fields and more.
Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education
“Investing in our schools is one of the most important infrastructure investments we can make for nearly two million students in Ontario. Our government believes in better buildings for better learning and well-being. Making sure schools across the province are in a state of good repair is an essential part of supporting student achievement. The investment announced today is great news for students, educators, communities, and the economy,” said Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education.
This funding is part of the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history – about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals.
Giving students the best possible learning environment is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number one priority – growing the economy and creating jobs.
Quick Facts
- This funding is being allocated to school boards in proportion to their renewal needs. Information about school board allocations will be available in the coming weeks. To support transparency in this historic investment, the government will publicly post detailed information regarding the condition and renewal needs of each of Ontario’s 4,900 public schools.
- This funding represents an increase in funding for elementary and secondary school renewal of $500 million for the 2015-16 school year and $575 million for the 2016-17 school year.
- This new funding addresses the Auditor General of Ontario’s recommendations in 2015 to increase investment in school renewal to 2.5 per cent of schools’ replacement value and to direct two-thirds of infrastructure investment in schools to renewal over new construction.
- Since 2003, the province has invested more than $14 billion in school infrastructure, including nearly 760 new schools and more than 735 additions and renovations.
- The province is providing school boards with more than $12 billion over 10 years to help build new schools in areas of high growth, improve the condition of existing schools and invest in projects to reduce surplus space through school consolidations.
