Students will benefit from new, modern classrooms that prepare them for good-paying stable careers
May 1, 2026
THESSALON – 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 child care 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 $15.8 million for a new replacement Thessalon Public School to create more student spaces and child care spaces in a growing community. This project will, when complete, deliver 222 new elementary student spaces and 64 new licensed child care spaces for local families in the Algoma District School Board.
“The funding for the new replacement Thessalon Public School in Thessalon is great news for our community,” said Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma—Manitoulin. “Through this investment, we’re creating opportunities for students to thrive well into 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.
“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.”
“This is such welcome and exciting news for our students, families, the community and our many partners whose patience, commitment and unwavering advocacy have been on-going for many years. Our Board of Trustees and Senior Administration are equally excited and are most appreciative that the Ministry of Education has recognized the needs of the students and families in Thessalon and the surrounding area. The current building, over 102 years old, has presented us with maintenance challenges and has reached the end of its best utilization. We can’t wait to begin to build a new and modern facility that will best support student achievement, well-being, and accessibility, as well as provide long-term community use for many years to come. Thank you to all who have been part of this journey, we look forward to your continued partnership and to opening the doors of this new facility … together!” Algoma District School Board Director of Education Lucia Reece.
The new Thessalon Public School will be located at 90 Stanley St. in Thessalon.
- 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.
| Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg 705-842-6556 Bill.Rosenberg@pc.ola.org |
- Nancy MacLean – Director of Children’s Services and Early Learning, Algoma District Services Administration Board
- Elaine Johnston – ADSB Chair
- Lucia Reece – ADSB Director
- Kirsten Ford – Thessalon Public School Council Chair
- Melanie Beaulieu – Thessalon First Nation Education Director
- Joe Santa Maria – ADSB Associate Director of Corporate Services and Operations
- Heather Whitley – ADSB Trustee
- Kevin King – Councillor, Town of Thessalon
- Debbie McLean – Thessalon Public School Principal
Remarks from MPP Rosenberg at today’s event:
Good afternoon everyone,
Thank you all for being here today.
This is a day we’ve been working toward and hoping for over many years.
Thank you to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Education Paul Callandra and Acting Minister of Infrastructure Todd McCarthy and our government for providing this opportunity today.
For me personally, this journey began back in the days when I was the Mayor of Thessalon, and I couldn’t be prouder to stand here with you as we make this exciting announcement.
Student success begins with having the right environment to learn, grow, and thrive. When students walk into a classroom that is modern, safe, and equipped for today’s learning needs, it sets the foundation not only for academic achievement, but for confidence, curiosity, and long-term success. That’s why our government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario’s future by making historic investments in education infrastructure.
Across the province, we are investing $1.6 billion in 79 school construction and expansion projects. These are not just buildings—they are investments in our children, in our communities, and in the long-term prosperity of Ontario. As communities grow and evolve, it is critical that our schools keep pace, ensuring students have access to the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for the in-demand careers of tomorrow.
But these investments go beyond the classroom. Strong schools are at the heart of strong communities. When families are deciding where to live, one of the first things they look at is the quality of local schools and access to child care. By building new schools and integrating licensed child care spaces, we are making communities more attractive to young families who want to put down roots, raise their children, and contribute to the local economy.
This is especially important in smaller and growing communities.
Investments like these send a clear message: this is a place where families are welcome, where children are supported, and where there is a future. As more families move in, communities become more vibrant, local businesses grow, and new opportunities emerge. There is also a direct connection between strong community infrastructure and our ability to attract and retain healthcare professionals, including physicians.
Doctors and other healthcare workers often choose where to practice based not only on professional opportunities, but on quality of life for themselves and their families. Access to excellent schools, reliable child care, and a supportive community environment plays a major role in those decisions.
By investing in education and community infrastructure, we are strengthening our ability to recruit the healthcare professionals that communities need to stay healthy and thrive. At the same time, we are ensuring that these important projects are delivered responsibly. Through stronger oversight and accountability measures under the Putting Student Achievement First Act, we are keeping projects on track, on time, and focused on what matters most: student success. Parents deserve confidence that their children will have the tools, spaces, and opportunities they need, and that public investments are being managed effectively.
Here in Thessalon, this 15.8 million dollar commitment is taking shape in a very real and meaningful way. A new 222-pupil place elementary replacement school; Thessalon Public School, will provide students with a modern, high-quality learning environment designed to support their success. In addition, the project includes a four-room child care centre with 64 licensed childcare spaces.
This integrated approach recognizes that learning begins long before a child enters kindergarten and that accessible child care is essential for working families. This new school and child care centre will serve as a hub for the community—a place where children learn, families connect, and the future takes shape. It will help attract new families to Thessalon and surrounding communities, support those who already call it home, and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable local economy.
In the end, investments like these are about more than bricks and mortar. They are about building communities where people want to live, work, and raise a family. They are about creating opportunities for young people, supporting parents, and ensuring that communities like Thessalon continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.
By investing in our schools, we are investing in our future, and that is something that benefits everyone.
It is my privilege, along with Lucia, Elaine, Joe, and the many dedicated advocates from the Algoma District School Board, Algoma District Services, Thessalon First Nations, and local councils, to celebrate this planned project.
MPP Bill Rosenberg
May 1, 2026