Province invests millions to improve schools for a safe return to the classroom
The Ontario Government announced $25 million to improve ventilation for schools in Simcoe Muskoka and across the province.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the investment would ensure all occupied classrooms, gyms, libraries, and other instructional spaces without mechanical ventilation have standalone high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter units.
Over 20,000 standalone HEPA devices are being deployed to schools this year in addition to the 50,000 sent to schools previously.
Lecce said the remaining funding would be given to school boards to purchase additional HEPA units as needed.
Ontario's Science Advisory Table has said standalone HEPA filter units are a necessary tool for classrooms and spaces challenged to provide adequate ventilation.
School boards can also use a new reporting tool to provide information on ventilation improvements that will be accessible to the community.
Tuesday, the province released its back-to-school plan. The 26-page report included resuming assemblies, library facilities and some extra-curricular activities.
Students are not required to wear masks outdoors, but Grades 1 and higher must mask up indoors.
CTV News spoke to Minister Lecce in July about the fall semester. He said it was their obligation to get all students back to class full time.
"We allocated a $1.6 billion investment to retain public health measures that worked well.... the difference this September vs last September is vaccines... we want to encourage more families and youth 12 and up to get the vaccine." Lecce concluded, "It literally is going to be the single greatest way we defend ourselves from the potential spread of COVID-19 in the community."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.