Students will benefit from new, modern classrooms that prepare them for good-paying stable careers
WINCHESTER – The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario and ensure students have access to modern classrooms by investing $1.6 billion in 79 school construction projects across Ontario. The investments will support growing communities by creating over 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers.
Locally, the province is investing $34.3 million for a new École élémentaire et secondaire catholique Winchester to create more student spaces and child care spaces in a growing community. This project will, when complete, deliver 530 new K-12 student spaces and 49 new licensed child care spaces for local families in the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien.
“When students get a strong start to their education, there is no limit on what they can achieve in their futures,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. “With this new school in Winchester, our government is creating more access to world-class French-language education for families in SDG so students can get the skills they need to lead strong, successful lives.”
The Capital Priorities program supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations and school purchases. This year’s funding will support a combination of new school builds, expansions and retrofits across the province and is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide more than $22 billion over 10 years to support new school construction, renewal and improvements.
“Student success starts with having the right environment to learn,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We’re building the schools students need, and we’re making sure they get built quickly and on schedule. With stronger oversight and accountability through the Putting Student Achievement First Act, we are ensuring projects are delivered on time and focused on students, so that parents can be confident their children have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”
“As part of our government’s historic capital plan, we are investing $236 billion in critical infrastructure to build and protect Ontario,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Through these investments, we are helping deliver new and improved schools across the province to support students, local jobs and growing communities.”
“We would like to sincerely thank the Ontario government for listening to us and collaborating on this issue, which is so important to the Dundas North community. We also thank the community for its active participation in the consultations that have already taken place. Your commitment confirms the importance of this project for the region’s future. We invite all families, partners, and community members to take part in the upcoming consultations, which will be crucial to building a school that fully reflects your needs and aspirations,” said Jean Lemay, President of the CSDCEO.
“This funding announcement represents a crucial step toward ensuring that families in North Dundas have equitable access to high-quality French-language Catholic education. The future school, grounded in an entrepreneurial approach to education, will enable students to reach their full potential while actively contributing to the vitality of their community,” added Lyne Racine, Director of Education and Secretary of the CSDCEO.
The new École élémentaire et secondaire catholique Winchester will be located at a site to be acquired in Winchester.
Quick Facts
- In addition to the 67 projects approved for $1.3 billion in provincial support in 2025-26, there is also an additional close to $300 million in funding provided through the 2026-27 program to approve 12 priority projects that are ready to proceed.
- For the 2025-26 school year, the Ministry of Education continues to provide $1.4 billion to school boards to renew and improve schools.
- In April 2026, Ontario introduced the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, that would, if passed, bring greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario’s education system through new and enhanced measures to further support student success. The legislation also provides the ministry with stronger tools to intervene in the capital planning process when boards are unable to deliver projects in the best interests of students and educators.
Media Contact
Jaxon Chapman-Scott
Office of MPP Nolan Quinn
613-933-6513
Nolan.Quinn@pc.ola.org