Ontario parents to get another payout in 2022 budget
Some parents may get direct payments from the Ontario government yet again this year.
The payments, which were previously not included in the 2022 budget, were first mentioned in the government’s throne speech on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking in the legislature, Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell said that when the budget is re-introduced, it will include an additional $225 million over two years in direct payments to parents “to help their kids catch up.”
“This funding, which will put money directly into parents’ pockets, is on top of the more than $26.6 billion the province is investing in public education, the most ever in Ontario’s history,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance confirmed to CTV News Toronto this funding was a new addition to the budget and that details are still being finalized, including whether all parents will receive the payments or if the distribution will be more targeted.
Information about eligibility, as well as how much money parents can anticipate, is expected in the coming days.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy told reporters the funding will help “fill gaps in learning for students after two years of pandemic disruptions.”
“We'll have more details in regards to how we're going to roll out that program. But let me tell you this, we're going to listen to parents, we're going to listen to many people to say what's the best way we can deliver the right type of funding to support parents.,” he said.
The funding is less than what was proposed in the 2021 budget, when the Ford government set aside $980 million to offset costs incurred by parents as a result of virtual learning.
At the time, parents received $400 per child aged 0 to Grade 12. Parents with children who have special needs under the age of 21 received $500.
This will be the fourth payout to parents since Premier Doug Ford took office in 2018. The other two instances were rolled out under the Support For Learners program at the beginning of the pandemic.
Under that program parents received $200 per child or $250 per child with special needs. This cost the Forde government an estimated $868 million.
If the same parents are eligible for this round of funding, it could equal about $90 to $100 per kid.
When asked why the $225 million wasn’t being directed to school boards, Bethlenfalvy pivoted to talk about the billions the government is already spending on education, tutoring and mental health supports for students in the public education system.
The union representing education workers, who are currently in negotiations for a new contract, said in a statement they have been calling for greater investments in schools.
“Meanwhile, this throne speech announced $225-million that would go to parents who are bafflingly supposed to now find private tutors to help their kids catch up,” President of CUPE Ontario Fred Hahn said.
“Ontarians deserve better than this recycled pre-election budget.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.