When questioned in the legislature about why her government would cut $100-million from annual school repairs funding, Education Minister Thompson responded that she was “so pleased that I am committed to fixing schools. We are going to be working with our ministry officials as well as our school boards to get it right and clean up the Liberal mess once and for all.”
Minister Thompson – Fix Our Schools and citizens from across the province will be holding you to this commitment!
From the Hansard: School facilities
Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Deputy Premier.
Schools across Ontario are crumbling, but instead of fixing our schools, the Premier chose to cut $100 million from school repairs.
Does the Deputy Premier think cutting $100 million from school repairs is good for students and for the next generation?
Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of Education.
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’m pleased to share with the House today that we understand that over the last 15 years, the Liberal government allowed schools to crumble, and it is absolutely concerning. That’s why I’m pleased with the work that we’re moving forward with in terms of working with both ministry officials as well as school boards across this province, and we are going to get it right and address priorities.
The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?
Mr. Peter Tabuns: Again to the Deputy Premier: The Premier told Ontarians that he was cancelling school repairs because of his short-sighted decision to cancel cap-and-trade. But in yesterday’s briefing on Bill 4, it turns out that that’s not true. Nothing is stopping the government from fixing schools. The cap-and-trade money was collected. It is available. These projects can move forward.
So why is the Premier not fixing our schools?
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I think it’s very important that we take the time today and share with the members opposite that the GGRF does not repair boilers. It does not repair the crumbling schools that happened under the Liberals’ watch. That’s why I am so pleased that I am committed to fixing schools. We are going to be working with our ministry officials as well as our school boards to get it right and clean up the Liberal mess once and for all.