What’s at Stake for Public Education in Ontario
Feb 23 2025
Ontario’s public education system is at a breaking point. Underfunded schools, packed classrooms, burned-out teachers, and crumbling infrastructure are becoming the norm—not the exception.
This provincial election isn’t just about who sits at Queen’s Park for the next four years. It’s about whether we continue down a path of under funding and privatization or start rebuilding a system that actually supports students, families, and educators.
The Reality in Ontario Schools
Classrooms are overcrowded. The Ford government has allowed class sizes to grow, leaving students with less one-on-one support.
Education workers are stretched thin. From teachers to support staff, chronic under funding means fewer resources, more burnout, and worsening working conditions.
School buildings are falling apart. The repair backlog for Ontario’s schools is over $16 billion—and growing.
Cuts to special education are failing the most vulnerable students. Families are being told to “wait” for services that should be a given.
The push for privatization is creeping in. More funding is flowing into online learning models and private tutoring rather than strengthening public schools.
And yet—when Ford’s government was sitting on billions in unspent funding, they still didn’t prioritize fixing schools.
We Need Strategic Voting to Stop the Damage
Public education won’t survive another four years of Ford. But defeating him isn’t just about choosing the party you like the most—it’s about making sure your vote counts where it matters most.
In our first-past-the-post system, splitting the vote among progressive parties allows Ford’s Conservatives to win ridings with far less than 50% support. That’s how they’ve stayed in power—by relying on a divided opposition.
If you care about stopping Ford’s education cuts, check your local riding dynamics before voting. In some areas, the best way to reduce Ford’s power is to back the opposition party with the strongest chance of winning.
This isn’t about loving a particular party. It’s about math. The fewer PC seats in the legislature, the more power other parties have to push back and protect public education.
This Election is a Turning Point
If public education is important to you, this election is not the time to sit out. The Ford government has spent four years weakening Ontario’s school system and another four will push us even closer to full-scale privatization.
The choice is clear: invest in strong public education—or watch it erode.
Vote strategically. Vote like education depends on it—because it does.
Lead the Future: Etobicoke Vision Challenge
Are you ready to shape the future of Etobicoke? Lead the Future: Etobicoke Vision Challenge is here, and we want to hear from you—the innovators, the thinkers, the future leaders of our community. This challenge is all about giving you the opportunity to step up, share your ideas, and lead the conversation on how we can build a stronger, more sustainable, and inclusive Etobicoke for generations to come.
As we look ahead to the future, it’s clear that the world is changing rapidly, and leadership will be more important than ever. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, community inclusion, or tackling the big issues, this is your chance to think big, be bold, and make an impact.
The Lead The Future is a platform for people of all ages to submit their ideas on what Etobicoke could be in 5, 10, or even 25 years. We’re looking for diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Whether you communicate through writing, visuals, video, or storytelling, we want your voice to be heard.
Key Dates to Remember:
Feb 26 – Challenge Launch
April 22 – Submission Deadline
April 23 – May 13 – Judging & Review Period
May 14 – Winners Announced in The Etobicoke Voice
We encourage you to get started by reviewing the challenge prompts:
Shaping a Sustainable Future: Imagine Etobicoke in 5, 10, or 25 years—what steps would you take to make our community more sustainable? Consider areas like urban planning, transportation, green spaces, and climate action. What policies or initiatives would you introduce to reduce our environmental footprint and improve the quality of life for all residents?
Building Inclusive Communities: How would you work to make Etobicoke a more inclusive and equitable place for everyone, regardless of background, income, or ability? What issues would you tackle to ensure that every resident has access to opportunity, resources, and community support? How would you engage diverse groups in shaping this vision?
Addressing Key Issues: What are the most pressing concerns in Etobicoke that need to be addressed in the next 5, 10, or 25 years? How would you approach solving these challenges—whether it’s infrastructure, housing, public safety, or local governance? Consider the needs of residents across all neighborhoods and propose solutions that could create lasting positive change in our community.
This is your opportunity to think outside the box and lead the conversation on Etobicoke’s future. Whether you write, design, film, or map out a visionary plan, your ideas have the power to spark change.
Stay tuned for more details and the official launch on Feb 26, 2025.
This is your chance to shape tomorrow—let's do this together!
I love this vision challenge!! Can’t wait to see what folks come up with.