Ford announces $500M for school infrastructure
Posted July 23, 2020 12:17 pm.
Last Updated July 23, 2020 4:23 pm.
The Ontario government has announced it will be investing $500 million in school infrastructure.
Premier Doug Ford made the announcement on Thursday during a press conference in Brampton.
The money is part of an over $12 billion investment by the province in capital grants over 10 years.
Watch: Ford announces school infrastructure investment
Ford said the funding will go towards the creation of 30 new schools, as well as additions to 15 existing facilities.
“Our government is making a significant capital investment in our school system,” Premier Ford said in a release.
“By making these smart investments today, we will ensure our students and teachers have access to modern facilities to learn with features like high-speed Internet, accessible ramps and elevators, and air conditioning, while providing parents with access to more licensed child care spaces.”
The government said the investment will also generate nearly 900 new licensed child care spaces across the province.
This comes as questions still loom over the province’s plan for reopening schools in September.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the government is working to finalize the return-to-school plan with Ontario’s chief medical officer of health and that an announcement will be made next week.
Watch: Education minister says return-to-school announcement coming ‘next week’
