The Ontario government is investing $1.3 billion to build 30 new schools and 15 school expansions across Ontario, creating more than 25,000 new student spaces and more than 1,600 new licensed child care spaces. The investments address critical needs in growing areas of the province to provide students with modern learning spaces to help them achieve success.
"This is the second consecutive year that our government has made historic investments in new school construction and school expansion, as part of the government's Build Ontario plan," said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education. "Under our plan, schools are being built faster and more efficiently than ever before so more students have access to a place to learn and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow."
The ministry is working closely with school boards to ensure infrastructure investments meet the needs of local communities and deliver good value for Ontario taxpayers. The increased Capital Priorities funding is intended to address growth related to demographic changes and housing development in local communities.
The 45 projects were selected after reviewing school boards' project submissions through the 2024-25 Capital Priorities program, and address current and critical space needs in communities where alternative options are limited, as well as access to French-language education, to meet urgent needs across the province.
Prioritizing shovel-ready projects allows student space needs to be met as soon as possible and addresses increased construction costs over time. The ministry is continuing its efforts to support school boards in delivering projects on time and on budget by reducing red tape through streamlined approval and reporting requirements.
Quick Facts
- The Capital Priorities program supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations, and school purchases.
- For the 2024-25 school year, the Ministry of Education has allocated renewal funding of approximately $1.4 billion to school boards to renew and improve schools.
- The investment is part of Ontario's commitment to provide about $16 billion to support new school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years.
- In 2023, school boards were encouraged to standardize the design of new school construction, identify opportunities to work together on joint-use school projects and bring forward shovel-ready proposals as part of the ministry's plan to help build schools faster.
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