CSCDGR, CSPNE, DSB1, AND NCDSB
Four Northeastern Ontario School Boards Partner to Create New Student Transportation Consortium

The four coterminous school boards in Northeastern Ontario are proud to announce the formation of a new student transportation consortium.

Conseil scolaire catholique des Grandes Rivières (CSCDGR), Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est (CSPNE), District School Board Ontario North East (DSB1), and Northeastern Catholic District School Board (NCDSB) are collaborating to enhance transportation services for students and families across the region.

This new model, which reflects the most commonly used student transportation structure in Ontario, aims to increase efficiency, improve service, and address the regional school bus driver shortages.

In a joint statement, the three Directors of Education currently part of the North East Tri Board Student Transportation, Lesleigh Dye, Yves Laliberté and Tricia Weltz shared: "Bringing our four school boards together under a new independent student transportation consortium will allow us to move forward with a shared vision. As equal partners, we're thrilled to work together to improve efficiencies and address bus driver shortages, while stiving to better serve students and families across Northeastern Ontario."

Jérémie Lepage, Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer of CSCDGR, made the following statement: "CSCDGR is pleased to collaborate with neighbouring school boards to establish a new transportation service with an entirely new governance model, to meet the needs of our families. By coordinating this approach, we can ensure that our students continue to be transported to school safely, as we always have, by dedicated and caring staff."

Key facts:

• There will be no changes to existing transportation services for the 2025-2026 school year.
• The new consortium will begin serving students and families in September 2026.
• All four boards will continue to prioritize seamless service for students and families throughout the transition.

This initiative demonstrates the Boards' shared commitment to fiscal responsibility, operational efficiency, and equitable service for all students.