Classrooms Are Overcrowded, Schools Are Underfunded, and Parents Are Frustrated
Ontario’s education system is in crisis. Overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and chronic underfunding have left students without the resources they need to succeed. Parents are struggling to support their children in a system that prioritizes cost-cutting over quality education. Meanwhile, political leaders continue to make empty promises while failing to fix the root of the problem. How did we get here, and how do we build a better future for Ontario’s students?
How Government Neglect Has Damaged Ontario’s Education System
Liberal (2013-2018) Mismanagement Weakened the Foundation of Our Schools
For years, the Liberal government neglected Ontario’s public schools, allowing them to fall into disrepair while failing to invest in the resources students and teachers desperately needed. Their focus on costly bureaucracy and standardized testing took funding away from classrooms, leaving students with outdated materials and overworked educators.
Despite promising to make education a priority, their policies contributed to skyrocketing tuition fees, school closures, and a growing gap between well-funded private institutions and struggling public schools. Instead of strengthening the foundation of Ontario’s education system, they left it vulnerable to further decline.
The PCs’ (2018-Present) Cuts Have Made a Bad Situation Worse
Rather than repairing the damage left by their predecessors, the Progressive Conservatives have doubled down on austerity and harmful policies that prioritize corporate interests over student success. Their relentless budget cuts have slashed funding for special education, removed essential support staff, and increased class sizes, putting greater strain on teachers and reducing the quality of education students receive.
Instead of investing in schools, the current government has shifted funds toward costly privatization efforts and questionable spending decisions. Their refusal to support educators with fair wages and proper working conditions has led to widespread labor disputes, further destabilizing an already struggling system. Under PC leadership, Ontario’s education system is being systematically dismantled.
Ontario’s Schools Are at a Breaking Point
Larger Class Sizes and Fewer Resources: Schools across the province are seeing an increase in class sizes while funding for support staff, arts programs, and extracurricular activities continues to shrink.
Underpaid and Overworked Teachers: Chronic underfunding and government hostility toward teachers have led to burnout and a shortage of qualified educators willing to stay in the profession.
Inaccessible and Expensive Post-Secondary Education: Rising tuition fees and reduced financial aid options are making higher education unattainable for many Ontario students, widening the gap between the wealthy and those struggling to afford college or university.
Special Education Support is Being Gutted: The Progressive Conservatives’ budget cuts have disproportionately harmed students with disabilities, stripping schools of the resources needed to provide adequate support for students with special needs.
The Green Plan to Invest in Ontario’s Future
The Ontario Greens believe that a strong education system is the foundation of a thriving society. We have a plan to rebuild and properly fund our schools so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
- Reduce Class Sizes and Increase Funding: We will lower student-to-teacher ratios, ensuring that every child receives the attention they need in the classroom.
- Support Teachers and Education Workers: We will provide fair wages and better working conditions for educators, attracting and retaining qualified professionals who are essential to student success.
- Make Post-Secondary Education Affordable: We will reduce tuition fees, increase access to grants, and implement a student loan forgiveness program to ensure that higher education is accessible to all Ontarians.
- Fully Fund Special Education Programs: We will restore funding for students with disabilities, ensuring they receive the individualized support they need to thrive in school.
- Invest in Safe and Modern Schools: We will fund school repairs and upgrades to ensure every child learns in a safe, well-equipped environment.
By prioritizing students, teachers, and accessibility, the Ontario Greens will build an education system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy elite.
The Same Old Parties Won’t Fix This
🔵 The Progressive Conservatives Are Undermining Public Education. The current government’s policies have made it clear that public education is not their priority. Their relentless budget cuts have drained resources from classrooms, leaving students and teachers to suffer the consequences. By freezing wages for educators and cutting support programs, the PCs have driven many experienced teachers out of the profession, worsening Ontario’s teacher shortage. Their push for privatization will only widen the gap between those who can afford quality education and those who cannot. If re-elected, the PCs will continue to dismantle public education in favor of private interests.
🔴 The Liberals Failed to Protect Public Schools. Despite claiming to support public education, the Liberals’ time in power was marked by chronic underfunding, increased reliance on standardized testing, and rising tuition costs that pushed higher education out of reach for many Ontarians. Their failure to implement long-term solutions left Ontario’s education system vulnerable to further decline. They allowed schools to fall into disrepair and failed to give teachers the support they needed. A return to Liberal leadership would mean more half-measures and missed opportunities to truly invest in education.
🟠 The NDP Talk About Education But Fail to Deliver. The NDP has long positioned itself as the champion of public education, but its track record suggests otherwise. While they have made strong statements about investing in schools, they have failed to outline a concrete plan to address key issues like class sizes, teacher retention, and post-secondary affordability. When given the opportunity to hold the government accountable, they have fallen short, lacking the bold leadership needed to drive meaningful change. Without a clear strategy, the NDP remains an unreliable choice for fixing Ontario’s education crisis.
✅ That leaves one choice—the Green Party of Ontario
Unlike the others, we aren’t beholden to corporate donors, bureaucratic inefficiencies, or political posturing. We are the only party committed to fully funding public education and ensuring every student, regardless of background, has access to a quality education.
This election, don’t settle for broken promises. Vote for the only party that puts students and educators first. Vote Green—the only true strategic vote.
