News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "Classrooms in Alberta continue to grow and are becoming increasingly complex, and immediate action is needed to address these issues in the public education system. To meet these issues head on, the Class Size and Complexity Cabinet Committee has been created. The cabinet committee will help guide government policy and deploy resources to deal with class sizes and classroom complexity."

Excerpt: "The government is continuing to ensure growing communities are provided with modern learning spaces to help students achieve success. As announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget, Ontario is investing over $30 billion over the next 10 years, including approximately $23 billion in capital grants, to build new and redeveloped schools and child care spaces. This includes working closely with school boards to ensure infrastructure investments meet the needs of local communities and deliver value for Ontario taxpayers. This investment includes approximately $2 billion for the 2025–26 school year to repair and maintain schools, which will support safe, healthy, accessible and supportive learning environments. For the 2025–26 school year, 41 new schools and additions have opened, creating over 17,700 student spaces, including five French-language school projects."

Excerpt: "Canada-wide early learning and child care transfer payments are expected to increase from $7.9 billion in 2025-26 to $8.5 billion in 2029-30, reflecting 3 per cent per year growth for four years starting in 2027-28 as announced in 2025. This also includes $625 million over four years, beginning in 2023-24, for the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund."

Excerpt: "Alberta’s government will work with school boards to gather yearly data on class sizes and composition. This information will be used to better understand staffing, student needs and classroom complexity. School boards will be required to submit data on Alberta classrooms by Nov. 24, and by January, this data will be made publicly available and will then be released annually."

Excerpt: "The Manitoba government has added 832 teaching positions across the province since October 2023, increasing the number of funded teachers to 13,903 total teachers this fiscal year from 13,071 in 2023-24, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today, adding this major investment is part of a broader commitment to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed."

Excerpt: "Today, Okanese First Nation is celebrating the grand opening of its newly-constructed Okanese Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve Building—a vibrant, community-driven space dedicated to nurturing early childhood development and school readiness. This new facility replaces the original learning centre built in 1976, marking a renewed commitment to the community’s youngest members. Designed through meaningful consultation with community members, leaders, and Elders, the building reflects the values and traditions of Okanese First Nation, with a strong emphasis on land-based learning and cultural connection. The centre offers a nurturing environment by bringing together spaces for play, quiet reflection, wellness, and cultural learning, all under one roof."

Excerpt: "This new child care centre will include 24 spaces for infants and toddlers, 100 spaces for children 30 months to school age, and 24 spaces for school-age children. These new spaces will be in addition to more than 500 child care spaces in Columbia Valley and the surrounding area funded through ChildCareBC programs, which help meet the needs of local families."

Excerpt: "Openness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles of the Government of Canada, and we agree with the Auditor General that regular analysis and reporting on the Canada-wide system is essential to protect its integrity and ensure it continues to empower families by meeting their evolving needs. More work is needed to improve reporting practices. We are working with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners to provide Canadians with clear and accurate information on the progress being made to build a stronger system, reduce costs and empower families across the country."

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is investing $43.9 million over three years to continue the province’s After School Program (ASP), keeping more than 13,000 children and youth in underserved communities active and healthy each year. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will ensure the ASP can continue to provide safe, supervised activities and tutoring for students, along with nutritious snacks, at low or no cost, setting them up for success, inside and outside the classroom."

Excerpt: "Families in 14 communities throughout the province will benefit from more than 900 new licensed child care spaces that will open this fall, expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care. “Families throughout British Columbia are seeing new child care spaces open in their communities, giving families real options they can count on,” said Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Education and Child Care. “These spaces mean shorter waitlists, more access to affordable, high-quality child care and peace of mind for parents, knowing children are learning in safe, supportive environments. This is about making life easier for parents today, while investing in stronger communities for generations to come.”"

Excerpt: "The Landmark YMCA child care centre includes 12 spaces for infant-toddlers and 41 spaces for children 2.5 years to school age. Situated in the heart of Kelowna at Landmark District, a 15-acre business community, the centre will help provide convenient access for local families and working professionals. “The opening of the Landmark YMCA child care centre is a testament to what we can achieve when community partners come together with a shared vision,” said Alyson Graf, president and CEO, YMCA of Southern Interior BC. “We are proud to help Kelowna families access the quality child care they deserve, right where they live and work. This centre reflects our ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community for everyone.”"

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is protecting students by increasing its investment in the Student Nutrition Program (SNP) and the First Nations Student Nutrition Program (FNSNP) by $5 million, for a total investment of $37.5 million this year. The two programs will serve more than 800,000 students, projected to deliver over 140 million healthy meals and snacks under the Student Nutrition Program and more than 1.4 million meals and snacks to students in Indigenous communities this school year."