May 6, 2026
Students will benefit from new, modern classrooms that prepare them for good-paying stable careers
SMITHS FALLS – 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 childcare 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 $5 million for a new addition at Montague Public School to create more student spaces in a growing community. This project will, when complete, deliver 150 new elementary student spaces for local families in the Upper Canada District School Board.
“The funding for the Montague Public School addition is great news for our community,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston. “Through this investment, we’re creating opportunities for students to thrive for the next several years. By upgrading classrooms, technology and facilities, students will continue to succeed academically and build essential skills for the future.”
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.
“The Upper Canada District School Board is grateful to the Ministry of Education and appreciative of MPP John Jordan’s support and advocacy for local rural schools in securing this important investment in Montague Public School. As someone who attended Montague Public School as a student, I know firsthand how central it is to the community, and this addition will create more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed while having a lasting positive impact on local families.” – Ron Ferguson, Director of UCDSB
Montague Public School is located at 1200 Rosedale Road South in Smiths Falls.
“The Township of Montague is grateful to the Ministry of Education for providing funding necessary to carry out the addition to Montague Public School which supports the growth in our community and neighbouring communities whose children attend the school. This addition will create a safe, supportive space for the students,” said Karen Jennings, Reeve of Montague Township.
“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.”
- 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.
MPP John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
www.johnjordanmpp.ca
john.jordan@pc.ola.org
613-284-1630
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