Ontario’s Government Approves Construction of New Public Elementary School in Stittsville

Province Approves Construction of New Elementary School in Stittsville to Strengthen Student Learning and Increase Access to Child Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OTTAWA – The Ontario government recently announced it is investing over $500 million to build 30 new schools and make upgrades to 15 existing facilities.

The province has given Ottawa-Carleton District School Board approval for $14.9 million for Fernbank Elementary School, and $12.5M to build École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud.

The investment will provide a new, quality learning environment for the students of Stittsville, and Kanata as well as new child care rooms. This project is part of the province’s capital investment program to support students with better learning spaces.

“These investments are great news for our community, I’ve heard from my constituents that there was a need in this area and I am pleased that our government is building two new schools and also adding to another,” said Merrilee Fullerton, MPP for Kanata-Carleton. “MPP Ghamari and I have worked hard for our residents and I know these investments will provide a quality learning environment and new opportunities for the children of Kanata and Stittsville.”

“The funding for this new public elementary school is great news for the residents of Stittsville,” said Goldie Ghamari, MPP for Carleton. “MPP Fullerton and I have had several meetings with residents from both our ridings on the need to build new public elementary schools in the community. I’ve shared those concerns directly with the Minister of Education on numerous occasions. I’m thrilled that our government is building two new schools in Stittsville.”

“I also want to acknowledge the fact that, at this time, funding for a new Public High School in Riverside South was not approved at this stage,” said MPP Ghamari. “I’ve spoken extensively with the Minister about the need for a public high school in the area, and he is aware of the petition that I submitted directly to his office. I look forward to continuing to work with Riverside South Residents as well as local school board trustees to ensure that the proposed Public High School in Riverside South becomes the new top capital priority for the OCDSB.”

Ontario’s investment in new and updated schools will create the foundation for a modern learning environment for hundreds of students across the province. This investment will also generate nearly 900 new licensed child care spaces.

“From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “Our financing of the new Fernbank Elementary School and École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.”

The new Fernbank Elementary School will be located in Stittsville, Ontario. Highlights of the new school construction include:

  • 628 elementary student spaces;
  • 39 new licensed child care spaces; and
  • 2 new child care rooms.

The new École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud will be located in Stittsville, Ontario. Highlights of the new school construction include:

  • 425 elementary student spaces;
  • 49 new licensed child care spaces; and
  • 3 new child care rooms.

Quick Facts:

  • The Ford Government is protecting what matters most by working with school board partners to invest in capital projects that advance student learning.
  • To create new opportunities for Ontario’s families, the government is investing up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 new child care spaces in schools over the next five years.
  • The Ford Government announced in Budget 2019 that over the next ten years, Ontario is investing over $12 billion in capital grants, including allocating over $500M this year alone for new schools, additions and major renovations.
  • This massive investment will build new schools and help existing schools after a decade of Liberal closures and maintenance backlog.
  • Ontario is also providing school boards with a historic $1.4 billion in funding to renew and maintain existing schools.
  • This funding could be used to replace aging heating or air conditioning systems, repair roofs and windows, and install important accessibility features like elevators and ramps.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Candice Coates, Executive Assistant
Office of Goldie Ghamari, MPP
candice.coates@pc.ola.org
613-257-9522