Uncategorized

MOTION PASSED BY CONSENSUS – CON.2026.01.27 Provincial Budget Consultation Statement from Co-Chairs

February 3, 2026

SUMMARY

This motion ratifies a letter written by PIAC to the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance, solicited as part of the 2026-2027 provincial budget consultation process.  

RECOMMENDATIONS

To the Ministers of Finance and Education

On behalf of the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee of the Toronto District School Board, we urge you to consider feedback from our communities regarding the ongoing impacts of past budgetary deficits and recent funding reductions. Namely, parents are requesting that the 2026-27 provincial budget include dedicated, transparent funding envelopes to ensure full-funding of the following items and priority areas: 

  1. Full funding for teacher compensation, in accordance with current collective bargaining agreements, the Education Act, and students’ needs, including full employer coverage of Canada Pension Plan contributions; as well as increased numbers of qualified, full-time education and caretaker support staff who ensure all students, including special education students and ESL students, are safe and healthy, and can learn to their fullest capacity each day.
  2. The introduction and enforcement of class size caps at every grade level, replacing class averages legislatively, along with adequate classroom resources and in-class supports necessary to meet diverse learning needs. 
  3. Daily, instructor-led physical education for all kindergarten to grade 8 students, given that physical activity is essential for good health, focus, and well-being.
  4. Safe, reliable, and adequately funded transportation for all children who qualify, to ensure equitable access to education
  5. Sustainable funding for student nutrition programs, ensuring that no child experiences hunger at school.
  6. Increased funding for school-based social workers, with the goal of achieving manageable caseloads that allow for timely and effective students mental- health support.
  7. Learning materials sufficient for every student to have both school-based and at-home access, including physical books and high-quality digital resources.
  8. The province-wide development and deployment of high-quality curricular materials; the urgent expansion of paid professional development for educators to support curriculum implementation; and a timely review of teacher education programs to ensure alignment with provincial Back to Basics standards in math and literacy.
  9. A clear, publicly communicated timeline for placing Math Learning Partners and Reading Specialists in every school province-wide, prioritized according to EQAO underperformance and other demonstrated needs.
  10. A timeline for implementing all of the Ontario Human Rights Commission recommendations arising from the Right to Read inquiry, including guaranteed access in every school to appropriately differentiated Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.
  11.  Investments in information technology infrastructure, including robust cybersecurity protections for student data and reliable, high-quality technical support for schools
  12. A province-wide, needs-based timeline for addressing the school repair backlog, with capital investments allocated proportionally by student population and facility conditions across school boards.
  13. A comprehensive, province-wide plan and timeline for improving indoor air quality, recognizing its role in reducing student and staff absenteeism. This should include systematic investment in energy-efficient heating and cooling systems (e.g., heat pumps), air filtration, and HVAC upgrades to ensure healthy, climate-controlled learning environments in every classroom.

We anticipate that under supervision, the education funding package will be better aligned with school board goals, budgeting, and outcomes than it has in years past. We share your commitment to red-tape reduction, improved student outcomes and well-being, and a better, stronger public education system for Ontario families. Accordingly, we urge you to publicly commit to addressing the priority areas outlined above in the 2026-27 provincial budget. 

Pursuant to our role as co-chairs for the statutory parent involvement committee (PIC) for Canada’s largest school board, we remain available to meet with you or your staff to discuss any and all of the above suggestions in more detail, at your pleasure. 

Thank you, Honourable Ministers, for your attention to this urgent issue.  Please note that this message was ratified by a majority of our members on January 27, 2026.

Sincerely,


Sarah Ali & Katrina Matheson
PIAC Co-Chairs, Toronto District School Board

FINANCIAL IMPACT

There is no financial impact resulting from the adoption of the recommendations in this report.

DECISION HISTORY

None.

COMMENTS

To be submitted online to the Ministry of Finance budget consultation portal and delivered by courier to both Ministries.

SPONSORS & CO-SPONSORS

Sponsors:  Nicole Di Wu, Ward 12 (Consultations Co-Lead) 

Co-sponsors: Susan Lee, Ward 12 (Consultations Co-Lead)

SIGNATURE

Nicole Di Wu

Full Name – Nicole Di Wu

Title of Official – TDSB PIAC Co-Representative Ward 12, Consultations Co-Lead

Susan Lee 

Full Name – Susan Lee

Title of Official – TDSB PIAC Co-Representative Ward 12, Consultations Co-Lead

ATTACHMENTS

None

APPENDICES

None