The schools that most Ontario children attend depend entirely on funding from the provincial government. However, the children of Ontario’s First Nations schools are funded at the whim of the federal government. In 2014, the Auditor General called for Canada to “immediately develop and implement a comprehensive strategy and action plan, with targets, to close the education gap.” This plan has not happened. Providing equal education to Ontario’s First Nations requires a commitment to adequate, stable funding.
Matawa First Nations Management, a council representing nine communities between the north shore of Lake Superior and James Bay (five of which are only accessible by air & winter road), has not received adequate funding to address a safe, healthy back-to-school this fall.
Media Release: #Matawa #FirstNations Complete Costing for 2020/2021 Supplementary Funding to Make Schools Safe in the #Covid_19 Global Pandemic. Available by clicking here: https://t.co/IAs4rHK899 – please RT! #onpoli #onted #EducationForAll @Fix_Our_Schools pic.twitter.com/qAnpvxuQGk
— Matawa ᒪᑕᐧᐊ (@MatawaFNM) July 23, 2020
These remote communities estimate they need $25-M in supplemental funding for all their educational facilities for this fall. These costs are in addition to the funding for Grandview Lodge, a dormitory-style school that will not only allow students to stay in the north, but will also allow their parents to stay for extended visits.
In Ontario’s First Nations communities, our federal government is obliged to fully fund appropriately-equipped schools and prepare all schools for this fall’s challenges. Prime Minister Trudeau… over to you.