Issue packs

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Subject: Support public education in Ontario — Underfunding and system strain

Dear MPP,

I am a constituent and a parent writing about the state of Ontario’s public schools.

The evidence shows this is a province-wide, systemic problem:
• $6.5B school repair backlog and a $12.7B 10-year capital funding shortfall (FAO)
• $6.3B cumulative underfunding since 2018, and a projected long-term spending gap (CCPA / FAO)
• Staffing shortages and retention issues reported across Ontario (People for Education / OCT)
• Rising violence and safety concerns affecting students and education workers (OSSTF / Auditor General)

Additional context (The Crisis — Underfunding and system strain):
• Funding has not kept pace with inflation and enrolment growth; independent analysis shows a real gap (OSSTF).
• Real per-student funding (inflation-adjusted) is down since 2018–19, even as needs rise.

Personal example to add (1–3 sentences; no names):
• We’re seeing cutbacks or “do more with less” impacts (e.g., reduced supports, fewer options, delayed repairs). It’s affecting [learning/safety/support access] in practical, day-to-day ways.


In our schools, the level of need is rising while staff and supports are not—this is what parents and educators report every day.

My requests:
1) Funding that keeps pace with inflation and enrolment, with transparent public reporting.
2) Smaller classes and more front-line supports (EAs, CYWs, ECEs, SERTs) so students get what they need.
3) A funded, measurable plan to fix school buildings and reduce reliance on portables.

For sources and key numbers: https://supportontarioschools.ca/data and https://supportontarioschools.ca/sources

Thank you,

Key stats (3)

Copy any stat with its citation for your email or meeting.

Citations

Full citations for the sources used above.

• Copy citation for ccpaUnderfunded63B
  CCPA $6.3B underfunding. CCPA – Ontario has underfunded scho…
• Copy citation for fao123BSpendingGap
  FAO $12.3B gap. Financial Accountability Office – Education …
• Copy citation for osstfFundingSubmission2025
  OSSTF 2025–26 funding submission. OSSTF/FEESO – Submission t…

Printable

CUPE – Education Workers' Wages in Ontario: The Impact of Ten Years of Cuts

Report on real wage erosion for education workers and implications for recruitment/retention.