The Ontario government announced on October 20 that it will spend $550 million to build 20 new schools and eight permanent additions across the province in 2020–21.

The projects will create nearly 16,000 new student learning spaces and 870 new licensed childcare spaces as part of the government's ongoing efforts to improve and build modern schools.

"Our government is doing everything possible to ensure our students can achieve lifelong success," said Premier Doug Ford. "That's why we made a significant commitment to fix our schools and ensure students and staff have access to the best classrooms, with features like modern ventilation systems and high-speed Internet access. During construction, these projects will create hundreds of jobs and contribute significantly to our economic recovery."

Ford made the announcement alongside Education Minister Stephen Lecce at Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School in Toronto. The Toronto Catholic District School Board will receive $24 million from the province’s Capital Priorities Program to create 620 new student spaces through upgrades to the existing building infrastructure.

"This government firmly believes that all children deserve to learn in state-of-the-art, modern, technologically connected and accessible schools," said Lecce. "We will continue to take action to ensure students are safe today and well into the future by approving more new school buildings and permanent additions, and increasing access to childcare for working parents."

When combined with the $500 million in funding announced in July, the government has pledged to spend more than $1 billion in capital projects in the education sector. That includes construction of 50 new buildings, additions to 23 existing facilities, and 1,765 new licensed childcare spaces.

The government is investing over $12 billion in capital grants over 10 years, including $500 million in 2019-20 and the $550 million for 2020-21, and working with school board partners to identify other priority large-scale school-based capital projects.

The province says those school boards with successful projects will be notified by the Ministry of Education by October 30.

The Ministry of Education is also investing $1.4 billion in renewal funding, which continues to meet the funding level recommended by the Auditor General of Ontario to preserve the condition of Ontario’s school facilities.