Thursday, May 05, 2016
Ministry of Education
Ontario Investing $137 Million in New and Renovated School Infrastructure
Province Creating Over 300 New Licensed Child Care Spaces
This year Ontario is investing $137 million to build new schools, expand or renovate existing schools, and create new child care spaces across the province.
Every year, Ontario funds local school infrastructure projects to provide students with better places to learn and give young children and their families increased access to safe, high-quality licensed child care in schools. Work will soon being on 20 such projects, including four new schools and 16 additions and retrofits.
Families in Toronto, Kingsville and Oshawa will also benefit through the construction of a total of 19 new custom-built child care rooms in local schools. This will create 318 total new licensed spaces for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
These projects are part of the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history - about $160 billion over 12 years. This will support 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 economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number one priority - growing the economy and creating jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is also making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts:
- Overall, the province has invested about $13.5 billion in local school infrastructure, including 758 new schools and more than 735 additions and renovations since 2003.
- In the 2014 Ontario Budget, the province made a commitment to invest $750 million over four years to support school capital projects that reduce excess space.
- In April 2015, the province announced $120 million over three years in new funding dedicated to building safe, high-quality, licensed child care spaces in schools across the province. So far, $90 million has been allocated, resulting in almost 3,200 new licensed child care spaces coming soon to communities across Ontario.
Background Information:
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Improving learning environments for our students is one of the best infrastructure investments we can make. Our government is proud to invest in capital projects that are bringing students and communities together, reducing the cost of under-used space, and reinvesting savings back into the classroom."
— Liz Sandals, Minister of Education
Media Contacts:
May Nazar
Communications Branch
416-325-2454
may.nazar@ontario.ca
Nicole McInerney
Minister's Office
416-314-6020
nicole.mcinerney@ontario.ca
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