Are the schools in Ontario being adequately funded? Two sides weigh in!

BY PAUL JUNOR

There was not much expectation and hope by education stakeholders that the Ontario provincial budget delivered on Tuesday, March 26^th, 2024, would include measures to increase public education spending.

Since elected in 2018, the PC-lead provincial government has gradually decreased the amount it spent per capita on students. Data released from Ontario Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy in the budget revealed that the deficit has increased to $9.8 billion, and there is a revenue shortfall of about seven billion. Some of the positives in the budget include increase in the minimum wage, reduction in the gas tax has additional benefits for those who depend on ODSP and senior citizens. In total, about $40.6 billion has been earmarked for education, while $190.2 billion will be spent over the next ten years on capital projects such as: highways, transit, broadband, and infrastructure.

The 83,000 strong Elementary Teachers’ Federation Union (ETFO) issued a press release on March 26^th, 2024, to address concerns and issues it finds with the Ontario budget in regard to reduced spending on: programs, services and initiatives on public education.

“By once again neglecting to allocate adequate funding, the Ford government has chosen to perpetuate a crisis that continues to undermine public education. Despite a growing need to invest in Ontario’s education system, the Government persists in depriving it of the resources and support it desperately needs. This callous disregard is a daring indictment of the government’s priorities.”

The statement notes further that the impact of underfunding has taken a toll on frontline education workers as they struggle to adapt. The effects of it can be seen on the impact that it has directly on classrooms such as:

• Increasing violence in school
• Crisis in teacher retention and recruitment
• Crumbling infrastructure
• Insufficient resources
• Cuts to essential special education supports

MPP Charmaine Williams of Brampton North (Minister of Women’s Affairs) states, “I’m thrilled to share how the 2024 Budget is putting more money back into the pockets of hardworking families like yours. From covering transit costs with One Fare to fixing auto insurance and cutting gas taxes, we’re making life more affordable. Additionally, we’re empowering women with entrepreneurship and investing in crucial infrastructure like Highway 413 and expanding GO Transit. Together, we’re building a better Brampton and a better Ontario.”

ETFO is disappointed by the lack of extra funding in the provincial budget. It notes, “The government knows that without adequate provincial funding there will be reduction in essential student supports and programs across the province. This knowledge makes their chronic underfunding even more egregious. Without adequate investment school boards are again being forced to do more with less. This means cuts to valuable programs and services as boards seek to balance their budgets. In many cases, their services support our most vulnerable students, including those with special education needs, Indigenous and racialized students and English language learners.”

ETFO is concerned about what has been happening to school boards across Ontario as they struggle to deal with budgetary deficits. “Rather than advocating fiercely for the funding students deserve, as their duty entails, many school boards trustees have been forced to implement successive funding cuts by the Ford government. These cuts hurt students and educators. We call on trustees to stand up to the government and demand more for the students they serve.”

The ETFO press release concludes, “The Ford government is jeopardizing students’ futures and hindering our collective progress. We urge the province to reconsider its budgetary priorities. They must provide adequate, sustained, and equitable funding so every child and educator can thrive.”