Province reveals new funding for Manitoba schools
The Province of Manitoba intends to spend more on K-12 schools in the province next year.
On Wednesday, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced the provincial government's operating funding plan for Manitoba's public schools, sitting at $1.65 billion in spending. This marks an increase of $100.2 million in new operating funding, according to provincial officials, and a 6.1 per cent increase over 2022/23 levels.
“Our government believes that all students must succeed regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances, and this year’s investment will provide an operating funding increase to each and every school division across the province,” said Ewasko. “Every division will see an increase in funding next year, which will help them engage students and invest in the programs and services."
A new funding formula guarantee will be set at 100 per cent in the new model, instead of the previous 98 per cent, which will mean school divisions will be getting at least a 2.5 per cent increase in funding.
Increased spending aims to improve literacy and numeracy rates among students, the Province said, along with better Indigenous-related education.
“This significant investment in kindergarten to Grade 12 education keeps Manitoba among the highest per-pupil funded provinces across Canada,” said Ewasko. “This investment continues to highlight our ongoing commitment to improving literacy and numeracy and strengthening Indigenous education.”
Out of the funding total, $5 million will be specifically designated for special needs funding. Another $24 million is allocated to the Property Tax Offset Grant and $20 million is earmarked to address increased cost pressures faced by school divisions.
Independent schools will receive $94 million in annual funding, an increase of $5 million. The Province notes the new funding plan does not reflect revenues collected from local education or property taxes.
Today's announcement relates specifically to operating funding for schools and is not included in the province's forthcoming 2023 budget. Capital funding related to education, however, such as building new schools, will be a part of the spring budget.
Nello Altomare, NDP Education Critic, criticized the announcement.
“Make no mistake, this is a cut to school funding from the government that brought you Bill 64 and told teachers to pay out of pocket for school supplies,” he said in a prepared statement. “We know kids need more support in the classroom, not less. It’s time for a government that puts kids first and helps families.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'She was waiting for you': The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother in England
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Macklem tries to stay out of the fray as MPs do their best to use him to score points
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem navigates a political minefield every time he testifies before the House of Commons finance committee.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army on Monday ordered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah to start evacuating from the area, signalling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.