New Francophone School coming to Whitby-Ajax
Published January 26, 2022 at 10:59 am
The Ontario government is giving nearly $10 million to Durham Region to build the province’s newest Francophone School, the École Élémentaire Publique, set to be built in Whitby-Ajax.
The school, which will form part of the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Ontario’s French-language school board, was announced today by Whitby MPP Lorne Coe and Niagara MPP Sam Oosterhoff.
The move comes as the Ford government invests millions into public services ahead of the election coming in the summer. Ontario has committed to spending $9.9 million on this project as part of their plan to create 317 new student spaces.
The investment comes as part of a $600 million investment in 78 school and childcare projects across the province. Over the next ten years the Ontario government says they’ll invest $14 billion in school construction.
“This investment will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for the children of Whitby-Ajax,” said Coe.
Oosterhoff, Parliamentary Assistant to Education Minister Steven Lecce, agreed, saying building the new École élémentaire publique will provide francophone students with “the modern facilities they deserve to flourish in their academic pursuits.”
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“Through projects like these, our Government is also helping to create well-paid jobs and supporting the long-term growth of communities across Ontario.”
Lecce said his government , in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, “have made safer schools a priority, which is why we continue to invest in modern and accessible learning spaces with improved ventilation.”
“This investment is part of our multi-year plan to build, expand, and update schools and childcare spaces across our Province. It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to come.”
Under Lecce, Ontario students have lost more school days in the past two year than any other province. Two weeks back, Lecce announced new restriction on COVID reporting in attempt to get kids back in their desk which stopped data reports until 30 per cent of a given school’s staff is out sick with COVID as the government scrambled to improve ventilation in classrooms.
Ultimately, the Ford government spent $600 million dollars to improve ventilation in classrooms across the province. CS Viamonde has received 1,800 HEPA filters via a $12 million investment.
Ajax MPP Rod Phillips, fresh after his second resignation from cabinet, said “Ajax is a diverse community with a growing French speaking population. I am pleased that our Government invested in a much needed, new French elementary school, here in Durham.”
The government stressed support for childcare in Ontario in their news release highlighting a 20 per cent enhancement of the Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax credit the refund money spent on chilcare,
Ontario remains the only province without a $10-a-day deal with the federal government after Nunavut inked a deal Monday that would save Nunavut residents $14,000 a year.
Premier Doug Ford told Insauga’s Khaled Iwamura he remained committed to getting a deal made saying, “we’re very, very close,” but he wanted a commitment from the feds longer than five years.
The government did not announce when the school would begin construction in their release.
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