Governments pledge $656.5M for schools

Ottawa is providing $525.2 million to help Ontario schools cover COVID-19 costs such as improving ventilation or boosting broadband — with the provincial government pitching in an additional $131.3 million.

That means boards will receive $656.5 million for upgrades, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna announced Wednesday morning at a virtual press conference along with Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the well-being of students, parents and teachers. As we continue to battle this crisis, ensuring a safe learning environment for our kids is critical,” McKenna said in a written release.

“These projects will improve air quality, install more hand washing stations and support better physical distancing. They are part of the federal government’s support to help Canadians get through the pandemic safely, create good jobs across the province, and build stronger, more resilient communities.”

Most of the money will go toward ventilation projects, but it can also be used for remote learning and “space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing,” said a written statement from the federal government.

“Supporting air-quality and other infrastructure projects in schools helps to protect our communities, making them stronger, healthier and safer today, and for years to come,” Scott said in a written release.

Lecce said “this one-time investment will help improve the safety of schools.”

In Greater Toronto, the funding includes:

> $81.6 million for the Toronto District School Board

> $25.8 Toronto Catholic District School Board

> $41.7 million for the Peel District School Board

> $15 million for the York Region District School Board

> $19.4 million for the Halton District School Board

> $17.6 million for the Durham District School Board

More than $1.3 billion has already been spent on COVID-19 school costs, including funds from the federal and provincial governments as well as boards’ own reserve funds, which includes about $100 million specifically for HEPA filters and other air quality upgrades.