Ontario is investing an additional $10.2 million in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin Counties over the next two years to repair and renew schools for a total investment of $32.4 million to ensure that they continue to be safe and modern places for students to learn.
On June 27 it was announced that the Upper Grand District School Board will receive an additional $9 million for a total of $28 million while the Wellington Catholic District School Board will receive an additional $1.2 million for a total of $4.4 million.
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.
The funding will enable local schools 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.
The province is investing an additional $1.1 billion in school infrastructure across the province, which 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.
“Investing in our schools is one of the most important infrastructure investments we can make for nearly two million students in Ontario,” said minister of education Mitzie Hunter in a press release.
“Making sure schools across the province are in a state of good repair is an essential part of supporting student achievement.”
This investment in school repair and renewal in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin Counties 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.
“Our government continues to support Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin County students with significant investments in better schools for better learning,” said Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph. “This new $10.2 million investment in the repair and renewal of local schools will boost the local economy and support the achievement and well-being of our students.”
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.
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 making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses.
In addition, the plan is helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
