News & Stories: Ontario

Excerpt: "The $8.5 billion Agreement marks a transformative step toward First Nations-led services that are compassionate and culturally grounded, strengthening families, supporting children, and advancing First Nations self-determination for generations to come. Its goal is clear: fewer First Nations children in care, fewer children entering care for the first time, and more families receiving the support they need before a crisis occurs. Representing over 130 First Nations and nearly a quarter of a million people—including more than 60,000 families—the Chiefs of Ontario, alongside Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s 49 northern communities and approximately 50,000 members, celebrated this historic milestone and the beginning of implementation."

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario and ensure students have access to modern classrooms by investing $1.6 billion in 79 school construction projects across Ontario. The investments will support growing communities by creating over 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers."

Excerpt: "Today, the Ontario government introduced the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, to strengthen school board oversight and accountability and ensure more consistent learning experiences for students to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The proposed changes would move Ontario toward a more accountable, consistent and modern model of high-quality education that better serves students, families and educators across the province."

Excerpt: "If passed, all 14 public universities in Ontario that offer a teacher education program, along with three private universities, would transition to the new one-year model, with the first cohort starting in May 2027. The one-year model would prioritize practical, in-classroom learning by establishing a minimum practicum length, to be determined through consultation with the sector, so students graduate with the hands-on learning they need to thrive in the classroom. If passed, the government would work with the Ontario College of Teachers and postsecondary partners to implement the new program model while minimizing disruption for students and institutions. The legislation would also enable the government to explore opportunities to recognize relevant prior learning and work experience for individuals pursuing a teaching career, including early childhood educator diplomas or youth work experience."

Excerpt: "The government is continuing to provide support to growing communities by increasing modern learning spaces for students to drive student success. This is why Ontario is investing about $30 billion over the next 10 years, including over $22 billion in capital grants, to support new and redeveloped schools and child care projects. These investments will help students succeed in their studies and prepare them for the future."

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is launching the Classroom Supplies Fund to provide elementary school homeroom teachers with direct access to $750 in funding each school year for classroom supplies. The new fund, which will be launched as part of the province’s 2026 budget, will ensure teachers have the materials they need in their classrooms without paying up front and is part of the government’s ongoing work to ensure the provincial education system is supporting student success and helping them reach their full potential."

This curriculum policy replaces The Kindergarten Program, 2016. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, all
Kindergarten programs will be based on the expectations outlined in this curriculum policy.

Excerpt: "Ontario is investing $20 million to launch the Liam Riazati Memorial Fund, a new initiative to help protect children in child care by helping community-based licensed facilities install concrete barriers. The new fund honours the life of Liam Riazati, a child who tragically passed away following a motor vehicle collision with a child care centre in September 2025."

Excerpt: "The province is investing … $9.7 million, including nearly $1.6 million in funding from the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction, for an addition to l’École élémentaire publique Mamawi in the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. The addition will provide 104 new student spaces and 39 new licensed child care spaces."

Excerpt: "Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, along with the Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Education, announced a one-year extension to the Canada–Ontario Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (Canada-wide ELCC) Agreement, until March 31, 2027. The ministers also announced that future funding of $695 million would be instead provided by Canada to the province in 2026, to help maintain eligible child care fees at their current average of $19 per day until December 31, 2026. In total, today’s announcement means that more than $3.9 billion in federal funding will be allocated to the Government of Ontario in 2026-27 to support continued access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services."

Excerpt: "The Ontario government is requiring school boards to establish Student and Family Support Offices, so parents and guardians have a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child’s education and find solutions faster. The offices will act as an additional way to help families get answers on broader community concerns, as well as contentious or complex issues that need to be escalated after speaking with the school. This initiative is one more way the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers."

Excerpt: "Dear Parents and Guardians, I know that child care costs are a top concern for families, and I am writing to provide an important update about what to expect for next year. I am pleased to share that Ontario has successfully negotiated a one-year extension of the federal child care program which was to expire on March 31, 2026. This extension ensures continuity of the program for the coming year, providing much-needed stability for families and keeping fees at their current average of $19 per day, and a maximum of $22 per day, until at least December 31, 2026."