NDP Leader calls for Premier to take action, keep small and rural schools open

Today during Question Period Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath added her voice to the parents from small towns and rural areas  who were in the Chamber’s gallery when she pushed the Premier to recognize the importance of small community schools and keep them open.

“Schools are more than just bricks and mortar,” said Horwath.  “They are parks and playgrounds; often the historical and cultural hub of a community and we need a government and Premier that will fight to protect them.

Schools in Lively, in Owen Sound, and the village of Long Sault are on the chopping block—nearly 40 schools throughout rural Ontario are slated for closure. Province-wide, that number moves into the hundreds.

“When hundreds of schools across the province are slated for closure, clearly, this government’s plan to keep schools open and transform underutilized spaces in them into community hubs is really just smoke and mirrors,” said Horwath.

The Ontario NDP is committed to educating children in their own communities.  New Democrats know that where a child lives should not determine the quality of education or supports that they receive.  ONDP Leader Andrea Horwath and the NDP Caucus have been fighting to bring investment to small community schools and will continue to push this government and Premier to do the right thing and keep rural schools open.