With the cancellation of both Ontario’s cap and trade program and a $100 million school repair fund that was to be paid for by the environmental program, the Doug Ford government has made it clear that it favours big business over students and crumbling schools, says the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).

“There is currently a $16 billion backlog in school repairs. What does this government expect? That school boards will repair schools with band-aids and glue?,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond. “The Ford government is pursuing cuts to government services like education in order to fund corporate tax cuts that will benefit the wealthy.”

“Ford’s priorities are clear. He doesn’t care if students across the province have their learning and their safety compromised with overheated classrooms, washrooms and water fountains that don’t work, and crumbling school buildings as long as corporations get their tax cuts,” added Hammond.

“The government cannot expect school boards to fund repairs by taking from other programs that are essential for student learning. They’ve already had to do that, given that they’ve been operating under a flawed funding formula which has not funded the actual needs of students and schools for years.”

“We’re encouraging the government to put in place the educational supports that students need to succeed.”   

ETFO is committed to building better schools. Its Building Better Schools education agenda can be viewed at www.buildingbetterschools.ca. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents 80,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province.

For more information, contact ETFO Media Relations:
Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations, 1-888-838-3836 x2331, cell 416-948-0195, vdugale@etfo.org
@ETFOMedia