Government supporting 3 new schools and additions with a $75.5M local investment
NEWS January 25, 2025
BRANTFORD — The Ontario government is investing $75.5 million for three new elementary schools – Paris Catholic Elementary School and Childcare Centre and Paris Public Elementary School and South-West Brantford Catholic Elementary School and Child Care Centre. Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford—Brant, announced funding for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board and the Grand Erie District School Board projects to help hard working families in Paris, Ontario.
These projects will support the creation of 1,562 elementary student spaces and 162 licensed child care spaces in Paris and Brantford as part of the government’s commitment to building modern learning spaces for Ontario students.
These projects are part of $1.3 billion in funding to build new schools and expansions, including child care spaces, announced as part of the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities Program.
“I am so pleased to announce this new funding for this very much-needed investment in these two communities”, said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “Today’s announcement combined with recent infrastructure support from Ontario will enable both Municipalities to facilitate growth, new housing and welcome new families to the area.”
The ongoing investments in education and child care projects will result in over 25,000 new student spaces and more than 1,600 licensed child care spaces at school sites across Ontario.
“As a mother, I understand that the local school really is the heart of the community. It’s so important for young families to have a school that’s close to home,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education. “Our government is proud to deliver a new Paris Catholic Elementary School and Childcare Centre, a new Paris Public Elementary School Child Care Centre and Southwest Brantford Catholic Elementary School and Child Care Centre for local families, along with increasing funding, staffing and a back-to-basics focus on reading, writing and math to help ensure students graduate with the fundamental skills they need to succeed.”
Schools and child care centres are an essential piece of the community landscape. Funding these local infrastructure projects demonstrates that the government is meeting urgent needs to address growth related to demographic changes and housing development.
“Our government is investing in new schools and improved infrastructure across the province to support the needs of Ontario’s students, families, and growing communities.” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “These are part of our historic investment of more than $190 billion over the next ten years to build and deliver the critical infrastructure Ontarians deserve today, and for future generations to come.”
“We are incredibly excited about this huge investment in our students and community,” said Director of Education, Mike McDonald. “With ongoing pressure for space, due to a sharp increase in enrolment experienced by our school district, ensuring that our families have access to quality Catholic education and childcare is great news. We are grateful to MPP Will Bouma and Hon. Minister Dunlop for their support of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board”
“We were thrilled to hear that the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board has received approval to build two new Catholic elementary schools,” said Chair of the Board, Carol Luciani. “We are so pleased that students and families will have access to these new and innovative Catholic elementary schools. We are very grateful to MPP Will Bouma and Hon. Minister Dunlop for this important funding so that we can continue to inspire lifelong learning and service to others.”
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank the Ministry of Education for their commitment to support student success and well-being in the growing community of Paris. We look forward to moving this project forward and getting shovels in the ground to build a safe, inclusive and engaging environment to learn and grow in.” Susan Gibson, Chair of the Board, Grand Erie District School Board
“We’re excited to welcome more families to Grand Erie, where this new, purpose-built school will provide opportunities for students and staff to learn, lead and inspire. These significant investments allow Grand Erie to offer families a state-of-the-art school close to home and succeed through their educational journey.” JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education, Grand Erie District School Board
Highlights of the projects include:
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
– Paris Catholic Elementary School and Child Care Centre
- $24.5 million
- 513 elementary student spaces
- 49 new licensed child care spaces
- To be located at a site to acquired in Paris, ON
Grand Erie District School Board
– Paris Elementary School
- $26.5 million
- 536 elementary student spaces
- 64 new licensed child care spaces
- To be located at a site to acquired in Paris, ON
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
– Southwest Brantford Catholic Elementary School and Child Care Centre
- $24.5 million
- 513 elementary student spaces
- 49 new licensed child care spaces
- To be located at a site to acquired in SW Brantford, ON
Quick Facts
- Ontario is meeting the needs of growing communities with over 200 new schools and additions underway that will create over 97,000 pupil spaces in the coming years.
- For the 2024-25 school year, the ministry has allocated renewal funding of approximately $1.4 billion to school boards to renew and improve schools.
- The investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide about $16 billion to support new school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years.
- In December 2023, the Ministry of Education announced Ontario’s plan to help build schools faster through a transparent, accountable and more efficient process. School boards were encouraged to standardize the design of new school construction, identify opportunities to work together on joint-use school projects and bring forward shovel-ready proposals.
- The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 ensures the public education system focuses on what matters most: teaching important life‑long skills such as reading, writing and math; improving accountability and transparency for parents and families; maximizing capital assets of boards to support building modern schools faster and better utilizing current school capacity.
- The government is committed to providing families with more affordable and accessible child care as part of the federal government’s national child care program. Effective January 1, 2025, Ontario has capped child care fees at $22 per day for families with children in programs enrolled in the Canada‑wide Early Learning and Child Care
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For more information, 519-759-0361 or [email protected]