These changes are part of a broader initiative aimed at restructuring school governance across Ontario. The government plans to reduce the number of trustees and appoint CEOs to oversee school boards, a move that has sparked criticism from various stakeholders, including DDSB Trustee Rob Cerjanec. He stated, “The Act is called ‘Putting Student Achievement First’, but if they’re hiring Chief Education Officers with no background in public education to run school boards, how will they know what the impact will be in the classroom?”

In addition to governance changes, the proposed legislation caps trustee compensation at a $10,000 honorarium, which could deter potential candidates from running for office. The government argues that larger board sizes have led to conflicts that do not serve the interests of students, parents, and teachers.

Currently, DDSB is facing a potential schedule risk regarding the funding for a new secondary school in Whitby. The board is still awaiting additional funding, which creates uncertainty around the project’s timeline. As Cerjanec noted, “Without the additional money, the project remains exposed to schedule risk, even as the province pushes forward with its education changes.”

Furthermore, the province intends to restrict discretionary spending by school boards, further complicating the financial landscape for DDSB. The minimum number of trustees at smaller boards will be set at five, while larger boards like the Toronto District School Board will see a reduction from 22 to a maximum of 12 trustees.

Despite these changes, the province has clarified that it is not eliminating school board elections altogether, which had been a point of concern among critics. However, details remain unconfirmed regarding whether the new executives will be appointed by school boards or the ministry.

As the situation unfolds, the lack of a new commitment, start date, or revised completion timeline for the Whitby secondary school project leaves many questions unanswered. The ongoing developments in Ontario’s education system will continue to be closely monitored by stakeholders across the region.

Сообщение Ddsb: What Changes Are Coming for in Ontario’s Education System? появились сначала на YourTownNews.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has released its budget submission for Budget 2026, emphasizing the need for bold, growth-enabling investments and structural reforms in Ontario’s economy. Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC, stated, “Ontario has strong economic foundations, but they are being tested.” The OCC’s recommendations include prioritizing tax credits and exemptions to attract investment and expanding Ontario’s talent pipeline.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Quebec Finance Minister tabled the province’s eighth budget. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business criticized this budget for lacking support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). François Vincent, a representative of the organization, remarked, “If the government wants to prioritize support for businesses, especially SMEs, it must address its unfair tax regime and its crippling regulatory and administrative system.”

Despite the criticisms, some sectors welcomed the budget’s provisions. The Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters praised a $375 million package aimed at supporting businesses and encouraging innovation. Additionally, the Quebec Forest Industry Council highlighted $147 million allocated for silvicultural work in public forests as a positive step for the sector.

However, the Quebec Employers Council noted the absence of significant new spending in the budget, indicating a cautious approach from the government. Véronique Proulx criticized the budget, stating, “Adding money to various targeted programs will neither alleviate the excessive tax burden on our businesses, nor reduce the bureaucratic complexity of accessing these funds.”

Health spending in Quebec is projected to increase by 4.1 percent, while funding for university education is set to rise by 5.5 percent for the 2026-2027 academic year. However, funding per student is projected to decline from $12,034 to $11,841, raising concerns about the sustainability of educational quality.

As observers analyze these budget updates, they note that the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce does not expect significant impacts on companies’ investment decisions. The government faces pressure to demonstrate that it can effectively support economic growth and address the needs of various sectors.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding how these budget measures will be implemented and their potential long-term effects on the economies of Ontario and Quebec.

Сообщение Budget: What are the key updates on the in Ontario and Quebec? появились сначала на YourTownNews.