Students will benefit from new, modern classrooms that prepare them for good-paying stable careers
KENORA – 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 childcare 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 $21.5 million for a new replacement Valleyview Public School to create more student spaces and childcare spaces in a growing community. This project will, when complete, deliver 409 new elementary student spaces and 49 new licensed childcare spaces for local families in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
“Providing over 400 new elementary student spaces and additional childcare spaces, this is a big announcement for Kenora,” said Greg Rickford, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River. “This is about the kids, and a reflection of the hard work of the board, directors, the principal, teachers, Mayor and council—as we all come together with palpable excitement for the new school.”
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.”
The new replacement Valleyview Public School will be located at 1400 Ninth St. North in Kenora.
Quotes
“The funding to build a new replacement elementary school in Kenora is absolutely fantastic news. This is something we have been hoping for and working toward for many years, and to see this vision becoming a reality is incredibly exciting.”
- Roger Griffiths, Chair of the Board at KPDSB.
“We are so grateful and excited to see this project coming to fruition. We are thrilled for our students and staff, who will have the opportunity to learn and teach in a modern, inclusive, and engaging environment designed to support student achievement and well-being. The new school will be such a wonderful addition to the community of Kenora, and will enable us to offer students and families enhanced learning and childcare spaces within welcoming, safe, and supportive teaching and learning environments.”
- Chantal Moore, Acting Director at KPDSB
Quick Facts
- 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.