The Ontario government has announced the construction of three new schools in the Brantford-Brant region, supported by a $75.5 million investment. The funding will create 1,562 new elementary school spaces and 162 licensed child care spaces, addressing the critical need for educational infrastructure in one of the province’s fastest-growing communities.
The announcement, made by MPP Will Bouma, includes the construction of two schools in Paris and one in southwest Brantford. Speaking on social media, Bouma highlighted the significance of the project for local families.
“Our community is growing quickly, and one of the biggest concerns I’ve heard is the need for more schools,” Bouma said. “This investment ensures that students have a place to learn and thrive while staying close to home. It’s incredible to partner with the Ministry of Education to make this vision a reality.”
This initiative is part of a larger $1.3 billion provincial investment to build 30 new schools and expand 15 others across Ontario. The projects, announced under the 2024-25 Capital Priorities program, will create more than 25,000 student spaces and over 1,600 licensed child care spaces in regions experiencing significant population growth.
Education Minister Jill Dunlop emphasized the government’s focus on fast-tracking school construction. “Under our Build Ontario plan, schools are being built faster and more efficiently than ever before, ensuring that students have access to modern learning environments,” Dunlop said.
The new schools are expected to alleviate pressure on existing facilities in Brantford-Brant, which has seen rapid growth due to increased housing developments and a rising population. With the addition of licensed child care spaces, the schools will also provide critical support for families in the area.
The Ministry of Education is working closely with local school boards to ensure that the projects meet the needs of the community while remaining on budget and on schedule. Standardized designs and streamlined approval processes are being used to expedite construction and reduce costs, with a focus on delivering shovel-ready projects as quickly as possible.
Local education leaders have praised the investment. Kathleen Woodcock, President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, called the new schools “essential,” adding, “This investment will give families access to modern learning spaces that support academic achievement and help prepare students for the future.”
The government’s investment in Brantford-Brant is part of a broader 10-year, $16 billion commitment to support school construction and renewal across the province. In addition to new builds, the Ministry of Education has allocated $1.4 billion in renewal funding for the 2024-25 school year to improve existing infrastructure.
As Brantford-Brant continues to grow, the new schools will play a key role in addressing the region’s evolving needs. “This is about building for the future,” Bouma said. “We are investing in the next generation and ensuring our community has the resources to succeed.”
The three schools are expected to move forward quickly under the province’s Build Ontario plan, with the goal of opening their doors to students in the near future.
For Brantford-Brant, the investment marks a significant step in providing access to modern, high-quality education for the region’s expanding population.
