Stop the Cuts to Public Education: Fund Schools

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is missing $52.3 million because of the province’s decision cut funding to public education. Without funding from the province, the TDSB will be facing deep cuts in order to pass a balanced budget, which will mean fewer education workers, resources, and class choices for Toronto’s students.

If thousands of us take action by sending a strong message, we can put pressure on the provincial government to stop the cuts to education and fund learning at public schools. Send your message below.

How did we get here?

Ever since Premier Ford and his conservative MPPs were elected in 2018, funding for education has dropped $1,200 per student per year in Ontario. [1] And the pandemic added increased pressures to an already chronically underfunded education system both here in Toronto and across Ontario. Here in Toronto, the TDSB incurred $70.1 million in costs to keep students, teachers, and communities safe during the peak of the pandemic. These additional costs were taken from the TDSB’s reserve funds and the province had initially agreed to reimburse the board. But now, the TDSB has a $63.2 million deficit in their 2023-2024 budget, and Ford’s government is providing less, not more, funding, which will leave the TDSB no choice but to make cuts.

How will this year’s $52.3 million cuts impact schools and students across our city? [2][3]

  • Loss of 45 elementary school teachers

  • Loss of 35 child and youth workers

  • Loss of 35 special education support staff

  • Loss of 20 high school teachers and guidance staff

  • Loss of 38 vice principals

  • Loss of 28 office staff

  • Loss of 200 lunchroom supervisors

  • Loss of 78 caretakers

These cuts will have devastating impacts on students. Schools are still struggling to recover from the pandemic and students are in need of more support, not less. Tell the provincial government to stop the cuts and finally appropriately fund education.

 

How much is the province underfunding education?

The province is underfunding school boards across Ontario by $2.5 billion compared to 2018-2019 [4]. Ford and his MPPs are gutting public education and students are feeling the impact the most.

It is time for Ford to take responsibility and invest in education. If Ford’s government reimbursed pandemic related costs to the TDSB and other boards, then we would be able to avoid cuts to programs and resources that are critical to students’ learning.

The provincial government has the power to fund schools and make sure all students get the education they deserve, but they are choosing not to. Tell the provincial government that you want more investment in public education, not less: