Small Urban GTHA Mayors Meet with Minister of Education

*Please see below a news release issued by the Small Urban GTHA Mayors caucus.For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 11, 2022"The Small Urban GTHA Mayors met with the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, today to discuss the current state of Education within their communities.The Minister provided an update regarding the importance of a safe return to school for all students and steps being taken to support their transition back into the classroom. Making available high-speed Internet in all schools, providing increased mental health supports, additional tutoring, and the return of extracurricular activities, are just a few examples of what the Province is doing to help bring a sense of normalcy back to our schools. The Minister also highlighted changes to the Ontario curriculum that will align with current market needs, such as in the area of Skilled Trades by expanding the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and introducing Financial Literacy in the primary grades.The Mayors requested the Minister consider reviewing the process for declaring and disposing of surplus school properties and access to those properties by municipalities for possible future affordable housing projects. The Mayors emphasized the need to plan the building of new schools based on future growth targets to better meet the needs of their growing population and consider innovative modulated designs in those areas of intensification.The Mayors also raised safety concerns with the transportation of schools children in  rural communities on dead-end streets and the importance of equitable access to capital resources in all schools across the Province."Aurora Mayor Tom MrakasSmall Urban GTHA Mayors--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist