TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS the Government has taken control of several school boards, including Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board, which takes away local control of the school board's budgets and will end up cutting services in the schools; and,
WHEREAS since 2018 the Provincial government has cut the share of provincial revenues going to education, leaving an estimated $1,500 shortfall in per-student provincial funding and a growing repair and school maintenance backlog; and,
WHEREAS cuts to education funding harm our children and our communities; and,
WHEREAS the provincial government is in a position to adequately fund our schools.
THEREFORE we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:
- Restore education funding lost since 2018; and,
- Fund the repairs and staffing that our schools need - this includes vice principals, teaching assistants, early childhood educators, special needs assistants, child and youth workers; and,
- Keep local school board decision-making with local elected trustees who represent their communities