When it comes to student outcomes, the OECD, the Economist, and McKinsey recognize Ontario and Canada as having one of the top-tier systems globally, consistently ranking in the top ten for math, reading and science. They credit Ontario’s success to continually improving the classroom experience for students and ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

But when we cut critical frontline staff and resources from our schools and increase the average class size, we compromise that experience and in turn our students' ability to learn. Fewer educators and larger classroom sizes means less time available to help each individual student, and less time to teach the critical skills our students need to succeed. Fewer education workers, like early childhood educators, psychologists and counsellors, means fewer supports for students that need the most help. And fewer frontline staff means fewer opportunities for our students — with limited resources to teach them, critical courses like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) classes and special education courses that support our most vulnerable students will disappear.

That's why an investment in education is not just an investment in our school system - it is an investment in our students and our province’s future. When we keep class sizes manageable and backstop our education system with critical supports and programs, we ensure better outcomes for our students.

