To Ontario’s Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, local MPPs, and Durham District School Board trustees and leadership:

I am a concerned parent of a Grade 7 gifted student in the Durham District School Board (DDSB). In the current academic year, I've witnessed firsthand how the reduction in government education funding has profoundly impacted my daughter's school experience. With fewer supply teachers available due to budget cuts, regular teachers are overburdened, often requiring them to forego their crucial prep periods. This situation undeniably affects the quality of education and the personalized attention that students deserve.

Education is the backbone of our society and the cornerstone of a prosperous future for our children. However, with the Ontario government's recent funding cuts, schools within the DDSB have been stretched beyond their limits. Compared to previous multi-year plans, the 2026 budget reduces projected Ministry of Education spending by a total of $0.5 billion from 2025–26 through 2027–28 ($0.1 billion in 2025–26, $0.3 billion in 2026–27, and $0.1 billion in 2027–28).

The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) notes that spending is growing at its slowest three-year pace since 1995–96 to 1998–99, falling short of the estimated cost drivers (such as inflation and compensation growth) needed to maintain existing service levels.

 Teachers, who are fundamental to a child's learning and development, are now being forced to juggle more responsibilities, leaving them exhausted and reducing the quality of instruction they can provide.

In a 2022 report by the Ontario Ministry of Education, it was highlighted that teacher-to-student ratios are critical indicators of educational quality. Increasing classroom sizes as a result of less funding means each student receives less attention, and the unique needs of students like my daughter, who is in the gifted program, may not be adequately met. The consequences of these budget cuts are clear: decreased educational outcomes, teachers leaving the profession, and ultimately, a poorer future for our children.

We need to act now to urge the Ontario government to prioritize education funding to ensure that all students, regardless of their educational needs, receive a high-quality education. The return on investment in education is invaluable; every dollar invested yields future benefits exponentially in the form of well-educated and well-equipped future leaders and citizens.

This is a call to all stakeholders – parents, educators, community members, and policymakers – to come together and demand the restoration of adequate funding for educational programs in the DDSB. By adequately funding our schools, we can ensure that every student has access to the resources and teaching staff they need to thrive.

Please sign this petition to send a strong message to the provincial government: Our children deserve better. By supporting this cause, you are advocating for a future where every child in the Durham District has the opportunity to reach their full potential and where the value of education is respected and upheld.