Ontario PC Party scraps $100-million school repair fund
Doug Ford and the new Ontario government continues to make significant changes to programs previously introduced by the Liberal party.
The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party has now cancelled a $100-million repair fund designated for school repairs this year as part of Ford’s campaign promise to scrap the province’s cap-and-trade system.
Following this significant cut, opposing NDP MPP-elect Peggy Sattler said in a statement the move will take the condition of Ontario’s schools and classrooms from “bad to worse.”
“Ontario has a $16-billion school repair backlog. Kids finished the school year in sweltering classrooms, and by winter, they’ll be wearing their coats and mittens at their desks,” said Sattler. “There are water fountains that aren’t safe to drink from and roofs that need to be replaced.”
“It’s sad that there is no hope coming for kids and educators, and absolutely disgusting that our children’s classrooms is one of the first places Doug Ford’s axe is falling. Ontario’s students need more opportunity and resources – not less.”
This news comes as Ontario’s Ministry of Education cancelled a project to update provincial curriculum documents with Indigenous content.
Curriculum-writing sessions that were set to begin on Monday were halted at the last minute, which included revising curriculum in response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
In response to this move, Perry Bellegarde, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations, issued the following statement:
“The new Ontario government has cancelled curriculum writing sessions designated to fulfill Truth & Reconciliation Commision Calls to Action surrounding education on Residential Schools. Ontario committed to working with Indigenous partners to address the legacy of residential schools. Premier Doig Ford needs to tell us how his government plans to deliver on the TRC Calls to Action.”
My statement on Premier Doug Ford’s government’s decision to end update of curriculum with Indigenous content:
Please share. pic.twitter.com/LsCEvDH97P
— Perry Bellegarde (@perrybellegarde) July 9, 2018
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