ONTARIO UNVEILS RECORD EDUCATION INVESTMENT TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS

MILTON ON – Following two years of global learning disruption, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government announced record funding of $26.6 billion for the 2022-23 school year. The funding will support learning recovery and fund mental health supports for students to allow a return to a more normal school year next year.

Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board will be receiving over $1.18 billion in GSN funding for the 2022-23 school year.

“COVID-19 has impacted every single person living in Ontario, including students,” said Parm Gill, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism and MPP for Milton. “These investments will ensure that students in Milton have access to the supports they need to recover from the pandemic disruptions so that they can reach their full potential. Recognizing the importance of mental health, our government is also providing additional resources to ensure students feel safe and supported at school.”

Funding allocated represents an increase from $1.14 billion to a total investment of:

• Halton Catholic DSB is projected to receive $413,147,879
• Halton DSB is projected to receive $769,320,687

“No government in Ontario history has invested more in public education, tutoring supports, mental health, and special education than ours led by Premier Ford,” said Minister Lecce. “We are bridging learning gaps that have emerged over the past years through a massive increase in small group tutoring programs and through the expansion of mental health supports to benefit children across all schools in Ontario.”

The Ontario Government’s $600 million Learning Recovery Action Plan will help students recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and will be available to students this year and into next school year. $175 million is being invested to expand access to free publicly funded tutoring in small groups after school, during school, on weekends and over the summer.

As a part of Ontario’s commitment to provide $14 billion to support school construction over ten years, the Ontario Government has invested over $220 million in capital projects in education, including 8 new schools, 3 additions and renovations to existing facilities in Milton. These investments will serve nearly 6500 student spaces in Milton.