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
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.