INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROTECT MILTON SCHOOLS AGAINST COVID-19

MILTON — The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing up to $19,408,881 for the Halton District School Board and $6,792,719 in Milton and across Halton Region to upgrade infrastructure and protect against COVID-19. The funding is being provided through the COVID-19 Reliance Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The investments build on the more than $1 billion the Ontario government has invested since 2019 in new schools and childcare spaces and additions to provide working families with access to quality, safe, and state-of-the-art learning spaces. Supported by provincial funding, 95% of Ontario schools have reported upgrades or enhancements to their air filtration systems, with over 40,000 HEPA filters and other ventilation devices in classrooms.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $525.2 million towards these projects through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $131.3 million to the projects.

The funding will support building retrofits, updates and upgrades to their schools and co-located childcare facilities. Projects can include HVAC renovations to improve air quality, installing water bottle refilling stations to improve access to safe drinking water, and space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing.

Quotes

 “Thank you to our teachers and educators whose tireless efforts have helped keep our classrooms safe. I am proud our government continues to take strong actions to build and improve schools in Milton. With a new investment totalling over $26.2 million for both Halton school boards, along with over $150 million for six new schools and $11 million for school expansions, this historic funding will make sure our students and teachers are in a safe and healthy learning environment.”

 Parm Gill, Member of Provincial Parliament for Milton

 “As the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly highlighted, investments in the health and wellness of Ontarians is more critical than ever. Supporting air-quality and other infrastructure projects in schools helps to protect our communities, making them stronger, healthier and safer today, and for years to come.”

The Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure for Ontario

“Ontario’s government is focused on protecting the lives of students, staff, and their families. We put a plan into action that leads the nation — delivering air ventilation improvements to over 95% of schools, 7,000 additional staff, and improved cleaning, testing, and stronger screening. This one-time investment will help improve the safety of schools, building upon Ontario’s annual investment of over $1.4 billion to maintain schools and $550 million to build new schools. We also recognize that in addition to these school-based infrastructure investments, Ontario’s plan to defeat this pandemic includes vaccines for school staff. We have prioritized education staff in high priority communities and all special education staff across the province and will expand to all staff as supply becomes available.” 

Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education