Monthly Archives: July 2019

Another Possible Source of Federal Funding for Green School Infrastructure Projects

July 30, 2019

In addition to the federal Climate Action Incentive Fund, in which Ontario agreed to participate, there may be additional sources of federal funding for green school infrastructure projects via the Clean Growth Hub.

Back in May 2019, Fix Our Schools noticed that a high school in the London Catholic District School Board had plans for a $9.7-million energy-efficient retrofit and that $4.8-million of this amount was coming from the federal government. To our knowledge, this was the first time that our federal government had invested in public schools (outside of First Nations schools, which are a federal responsibility) as critical infrastructure.

Fix Our Schools was optimistic that this project would set an important precedent so we dug in to see if we could find out more. What we found was that the federal government operates a Clean Growth Hub, an advisory service that aggregates various available funding opportunities for clean tech available through the federal government and that, from time to time, funding programs being offered by the federal government could align with green projects being conducted by school boards across Canada.  

The Clean Growth Hub is a whole-of-government focal point for clean technology. Fix Our Schools encourages all Canadian school boards to monitor the Clean Growth Hub and to see if any programs being offered at a given time would allow federal money to be accessed for local energy-efficient projects in schools. London Catholic School Board had the foresight to do this and was able to benefit from $4.8-million of federal money!

 

 

$41-M from Feds Brings Total Funding to $1.44-B for Fixing Ontario’s Schools

July 25, 2019

Ontario has agreed to a federal plan to allocate approximately $41-million for energy-efficient retrofits to Ontario’s elementary and secondary schools. According to the technical paper detailing Ontario’s most recent budget for 2019-20, our provincial government has committed $1.4-billion in funding for school renewal and repairs as per the following allocations:

  • School Renewal Allocation (SRA), which addresses the costs of repairing and renovating schools, is projected to be $363.3-million 
  • An additional $40-million to the SRA Allocation for expenditures that are capital in nature
  • School Condition Improvement (SCI) to help school boards address the identified renewal backlog from the data collected via the Ministry’s Condition Assessment Program, is going to be $1-billion

So Fix Our Schools is excited that, with the expected additional $40-million from the federal Climate Action Incentive Fund, total funding for school repair and renewal for Ontario’s publicly funded schools will be $1.44-billion for 2019-20. Every little bit of funding can make a big difference for our local schools!

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna poses for a photo during a Climate LeadersÕ Summit in Chelsea, Que., on Thursday, May 17, 2018. iPolitics/Matthew Usherwood

Interested in more details on the Climate Action Incentive Fund?

On June 25, 2019, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced a new proposed climate action program to support energy-efficient retrofits for schools in the four provinces that don’t have an emissions-based levy that is on par with the federal government’s. In Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick, the federal carbon tax was put into action at the start of 2019. All revenues collected by the federal government as part of this carbon tax must be returned to the province from which the money is collected:

  • 90% of collected carbon tax monies will be directly returned to consumers via an offsetting tax rebate
  • 10% of collected carbon tax monies will be dedicated to helping municipalities, hospitals, universities, schools and small-medium sized businesses become more energy-efficient.

For this coming year, the federal government decided that 3% of carbon tax monies collected (an estimated $60-million) would go to Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Manitoba for energy-efficient retrofits in public schools. For instance, replacing old windows that result in a lot of drafts in classrooms. Ontario’s share of the $60-million would be $41-million.

The Government of Canada will work closely with provinces to deliver funding to schools. Schools and school boards interested in participating in the proposed program are encouraged to contact their provincial governments for more details on how to apply.

Finally! Provincial Process Resumes for Building New Schools and Additions

July 23, 2019

On July 22, 2019, Ontario’s Ministry of Education released news of a “Major Investment that will Renew Ontario Schools and Strengthen Student Learning“. Fix Our Schools is thrilled to hear Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s comment that, “We are investing in our students and their futures by building new schools and renovating existing schools because I believe better schools mean better learning environments for the next generation.” Fix Our Schools is also happy to hear that “this government is taking decisive action to ensure students have safe and modern learning environments that enable their success in the classroom, in life, and in the labour market” added Lecce.
construction workerHowever, we are confused about why it has taken the Ministry of Education over a year to simply resume the annual process of approving new school builds and additions in this province. Prior to the election of the Doug Ford government in June 2018, Ontario school boards were approached each summer by the Province to submit their top 10 school-based capital priorities for funding consideration. The Ministry of Education would then review these submissions and announce successful projects annually.

For the past 13 months – this annual process has been on hold. So, while Fix Our Schools is relieved to see this process finally being resumed, we are also very concerned about the fact that, in essence, Ontario students, teachers and education workers have lost over a year where no new school builds were approved.

Fix Our Schools is also very concerned about the Quick Facts section of this July 22, 2019 provincial announcement referencing an investment of $13-billion over 10 years for building new schools and helping repair and renew existing schools.

You see, provincial funding for only repairing and renewing schools currently sits at $1.4-billion/year so using some quick math – this $13-billion over 10 years – even if this $13-billion is only for school repairs and renewal –  would be an annual cut of $100-million/year to the $1.4-billion in provincial funding for school repairs and renewal today. However, if this $13-billion investment over 10 years is meant to fund both school repairs and renewal and new school buildings in this province, then this $13-billion investment over 10 years actually represents a massive cut to provincial funding for school infrastructure in this province.  

 

MPP Oosterhoff: $75.4-million of Disrepair in Niagara West Schools

July 16, 2019

Dear MPP Oosterhoff,

Did you know there is $75.4-million of disrepair in the publicly funded schools in your riding of Niagara West? We wanted to share the following details of disrepair in each school in your riding in the hope that this detailed information would underscore the importance of developing standards of good repair for Ontario schools and also the importance of providing the adequate, stable provincial funding to school boards required for them to meet those new standards and eliminate the $15.9-billion repair backlog that plagues Ontario’s schools:

Total disrepair in each publicly funded school in Niagara West Riding:

A K Wigg PS  $                  3,719,322
Beamsville District SS  $                  9,145,939
Caistor Central PS  $                  2,438,765
Central PS  $                  2,044,619
College Street PS  $                  2,969,089
E L Crossley SS  $                  7,386,470
Gainsborough PS  $                  1,778,535
Glynn A Green PS  $                  5,100,093
Grand Avenue PS  $                     167,629
Grimsby SS  $               12,938,474
Jacob Beam PS  $                     623,718
Lakeview PS  $                  1,018,134
Nelles PS  $                       89,610
Park PS  $                       38,644
Pelham Centre PS  $                  1,797,287
Senator Gibson PS  $                       46,350
Smith PS  $                     535,806
South Lincoln HS  $                  4,559,688
William E Brown PS  $                  2,278,359
Winger PS  $                  1,625,711
Blessed Trinity Catholic SS  $                     621,605
St Alexander Catholic E S  $                  3,006,055
St Ann Catholic E S (f)  $                     889,846
St Edward Catholic E S  $                  3,629,054
St Elizabeth Catholic E S  $                  1,003,688
St John Catholic E S  $                  2,623,738
St. Joseph Catholic E S (g)  $                       77,250
St. Mark Catholic E S  $                     247,200
ÉSC JeanVanier  $                       71,720
St. Mathew  $                       10,200
Ecole Elementaire Michaelle Jean  $                  2,963,336

School conditions matter. They impact student learning, attendance, and health.

We ask that you and your government please prioritize schools as critical infrastructure and take the steps necessary to ensure that the disrepair in all of Ontario’s publicly funded schools is eliminated and that schools are safe, healthy, well-maintained buildings that provide environments conducive to learning and working. We look forward to hearing back from you with details on your plan to Fix Ontario’s Schools.

PLEASE NOTE: Fix Our Schools is relying on the most recent disrepair data provided by the Ministry of Education in Fall 2017 and has mapped postal codes provided by the Ministry for each school to riding postal code information from a third party. Therefore, it is possible that there may be small errors in the data provided here and we would be grateful if community members would contact us with any errors. 

Minister Elliott: $72.1-million of Disrepair in Newmarket-Aurora Schools

July 9, 2019

Dear Minister Elliott,

Did you know there is $72.1-million of disrepair in the publicly funded schools in your riding of Newmarket-Aurora? We wanted to share the following details of disrepair in each school in your riding in the hope that this detailed information would underscore the importance of developing standards of good repair for Ontario schools and also the importance of providing the adequate, stable provincial funding to school boards required for them to meet those new standards and eliminate the $15.9-billion repair backlog that plagues Ontario’s schools:

Total disrepair in each publicly funded school in Newmarket-Aurora Riding:

Canadian Martyrs CES  $                    1,995,699
Notre Dame CES  $                        263,123
Sacred Heart CHS  $                    3,697,853
St. Elizabeth Seton CES  $                        687,832
St. Jerome CES  $                        130,000
St. John Chrysostom CES  $                          70,290
St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS  $                        140,000
St. Nicholas CES  $                    1,229,590
St. Paul CES  $                    1,890,041
Alexander Muir PS  $                        115,847
Armitage Village PS  $                        602,408
Aurora Heights PS  $                    1,040,393
Bogart PS  $                    1,280,885
Clearmeadow PS  $                    1,704,095
Crossland PS  $                    1,229,562
Denne PS  $                    2,874,868
Devins Drive PS  $                    1,453,209
Dr John M Denison SS  $                    5,479,453
Glen Cedar PS  $                    1,412,822
Hartman PS  $                          22,726
Huron Heights SS  $                  18,337,683
J L R Bell PS  $                    2,261,626
Lester B Pearson PS  $                    1,009,062
Maple Leaf PS  $                    4,711,432
Mazo De La Roche PS  $                    2,413,219
Meadowbrook PS  $                    3,523,312
Newmarket HS  $                    3,575,364
Northern Lights PS  $                        170,601
Poplar Bank PS  $                        427,097
Prince Charles PS  $                    2,250,573
Rogers PS  $                          76,755
Sir William Mulock SS  $                        881,510
Stonehaven ES  $                    1,504,776
Stuart Scott PS  $                    2,395,981
Terry Fox PS  $                          71,960
ÉÉC SaintJean  $                    1,042,239
ÉSC Renaissance  $                          89,539

School conditions matter. They impact student learning, attendance, and health.

We ask that you and your government please prioritize schools as critical infrastructure and take the steps necessary to ensure that the disrepair in all of Ontario’s publicly funded schools is eliminated and that schools are safe, healthy, well-maintained buildings that provide environments conducive to learning and working. We look forward to hearing back from you with details on your plan to Fix Ontario’s Schools.

PLEASE NOTE: Fix Our Schools is relying on the most recent disrepair data provided by the Ministry of Education in Fall 2017 and has mapped postal codes provided by the Ministry for each school to riding postal code information from a third party. Therefore, it is possible that there may be small errors in the data provided here and we would be grateful if community members would contact us with any errors. 

Minister Lecce: $30.9-million of Disrepair in King-Vaughan Schools

July 2, 2019

Dear Education Minister Lecce,

Did you know there is $30.9-million of disrepair in the publicly funded schools in your riding of King-Vaughan?

We wanted to share the following details of disrepair in each school in your riding in the hope that this detailed information would underscore the importance of developing standards of good repair for Ontario schools and also the importance of providing the adequate, stable provincial funding to school boards required for them to meet those new standards and eliminate the $15.9-billion repair backlog that plagues Ontario’s schools:

Total disrepair in each publicly funded school in King-Vaughan Riding:

Blessed Trinity CES  $                              452,608
Divine Mercy CES  $                                83,756
Father John Kelly CES  $                          1,010,389
Holy Jubilee CES  $                                34,983
Our Lady of Peace CES  $                          1,769,886
St. Cecilia CES  $                                37,000
St. David CES  $                          2,854,179
St. James CES  $                                58,305
St. Joan of Arc CHS  $                          6,593,572
St. Mary CES  $                              771,710
St. Mary of the Angels CES  $                                45,000
St. Raphael the Archangel CES  $                                65,000
Discovery PS  $                              862,400
Dr. Roberta Bondar PS  $                                20,280
Glenn Gould PS  $                                30,500
Herbert H. Carnegie PS  $                              135,876
Joseph A Gibson PS  $                          2,245,020
Julliard PS  $                              721,300
Kettleby PS  $                          1,136,682
King City PS  $                                50,700
King City SS  $                          6,705,420
Mackenzie Glen PS  $                              354,620
Maple Creek PS  $                              745,200
Maple HS  $                              650,920
Michael Cranny ES  $                              387,500
Nobleton PS  $                          1,573,900
Teston Village PS  $                              346,300
ÉÉC LePetitPrince  $                          1,217,134

School conditions matter. They impact student learning, attendance, and health.

We ask that you and your government please prioritize schools as critical infrastructure and take the steps necessary to ensure that the disrepair in all of Ontario’s publicly funded schools is eliminated and that schools are safe, healthy, well-maintained buildings that provide environments conducive to learning and working. We look forward to hearing back from you with details on your plan to Fix Ontario’s Schools.

PLEASE NOTE: Fix Our Schools is relying on the most recent disrepair data provided by the Ministry of Education in Fall 2017 and has mapped postal codes provided by the Ministry for each school to riding postal code information from a third party. Therefore, it is possible that there may be small errors in the data provided here and we would be grateful if community members would contact us with any errors.