The Real Story on School Funding: Why Ontario Needs to Pay Attention
May 27 2025
Ontario’s public schools are facing a serious funding crisis, and the impacts are already being felt in classrooms across the province. While the provincial government touts “record investments” in education, the reality for school boards like the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) tells a different story. Since 2018, inflation and rising costs have steadily outpaced funding increases, forcing boards to make heartbreaking decisions about which programs to cut. Understanding the true picture behind these budget shortfalls is essential for parents who want to advocate effectively for their children’s education.
As the 2024–2025 school year approaches the end, Ontario parents need to know the truth about what's happening behind the scenes in our public schools. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Canada's largest school board, is facing a projected $58 million deficit for the 2025–2026 school year — and the proposed cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent real losses for students, families, and entire communities.
But this isn't just a debate about numbers. The proposed cuts now on the table paint a bleak picture of what’s at risk for our children’s education.
One of the most significant proposals would see the closure of school swimming pools that aren’t leased out to community groups — a move aimed at saving $12.8 million. These pools aren’t just recreational spaces; they are sites for life-saving aquatic education and physical development. In a city surrounded by water, cutting swimming education puts kids at greater risk, particularly those whose families can’t afford private lessons.
The board is also considering the elimination of all 74 Itinerant Music Instructors (IMIs) — specialized educators who bring advanced music programming to students beyond the basic curriculum. Cutting this $4 million program would eliminate a unique strength of the TDSB; it is currently the only board in Ontario offering IMIs. For many children, this is their only opportunity to be introduced to orchestral instruments, choral instruction, or composition.
Other cuts target technology and experiential learning. Distributing Chromebooks two years later — in Grade 7 instead of Grade 5 — and extending their use to six years could save $4.5 million, but it also delays access to critical digital learning tools. Similarly, the board is weighing a shift to a “cost-recovery model” for outdoor education — meaning centres that don’t pay for themselves could be shuttered. This would eliminate formative experiences for students who may never otherwise have the chance to connect with nature in a meaningful way.
To raise an additional $2.3 million, the board may also increase continuing education fees, potentially putting adult and lifelong learning out of reach for low-income learners.
And in one of the most impactful measures, the board is considering increasing class sizes to align more closely with Ministry of Education targets — a move projected to save $7.5 million. This could result in dozens of teaching positions lost and more crowded classrooms, undermining the kind of focused, responsive education that makes a real difference, especially for students who need extra support.
These aren’t “extras.” They are foundational components of a well-rounded, equitable public education system. Swimming lessons keep kids active and safe. Music and outdoor education open creative and developmental pathways. Technology access and small class sizes help close achievement gaps.
We risk losing not just programs — but opportunities, futures, and the very spirit of what public education should be.
A Funding Crisis Years in the Making
Since 2018, the Ontario government has claimed that education funding is “at record highs.” But this narrative masks a different reality. Once you factor in inflation, growth, and mandatory spending (like wage arbitration settlements), real per-student funding has declined every year since 2018.
Boards like the TDSB and the TCDSB are being pushed into crisis budgeting mode, forced to consider these cuts just to stay afloat.
Why Parents and Communities Must Pay Attention
What’s happening isn’t a mismanagement issue — it’s a provincial funding issue. The Ford government’s "record spending" spin is belied by facts and projections from non-partisan agencies. The cuts being proposed now are only the beginning unless this funding model is addressed.
If you are a parent in Etobicoke or anywhere in Toronto, here’s what you can do:
Educate yourself. Read the TDSB's Budget Updates.
Contact your MPP. Demand an increase in core, flexible per-student funding — not just targeted grants.
Join or start conversations at your child’s school council, with your trustee, and online.
Push back against the narrative that “everything is fine.” It’s not.
Our public schools are not just buildings — they’re places where children discover who they are. If we strip away the programs that allow kids to swim, perform, explore nature, and grow, we will be left with a hollowed-out system that no longer reflects our values as Ontarians.
These proposed cuts are more than just line items on a budget sheet — they represent real losses for students and families. When public education is underfunded, it’s our children who pay the price: in fewer opportunities, diminished supports, and classrooms that no longer meet their needs. Parents must stay informed and demand that our provincial leaders prioritize meaningful, sustainable funding for schools. Because a well-funded education system is not just an investment in buildings or programs — it’s an investment in every child’s future, in Ontario’s future.
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