The federal government says it’s spending more than $40 million of carbon tax revenue to make Ontario schools more energy efficient.
The dollar value on the investments may still change, but a list of projects ranges in price from $660 to nearly $2 million.
Money will go to 172 schools across the province, funding projects such as replacing roofs and increasing insulation. Schools receiving funds include:
- William Burgess Elementary School in Toronto is expected to see the biggest influx of cash, with $1.9 million earmarked to replace the “60-year-old obsolete steam boilers and associated equipment” with their energy efficient, modern-day equivalents.
- North Park Secondary School in the Peel District School Board is due to get nearly $1.4 million to replace air handling units that are old and in poor condition.
- St. Pius X High buy ambien over the counter School in Ottawa, will receive $431,455 for roof and insulation replacements
- St. James Catholic School, in Guelph, will receive $230,169 to replace its entire HVAC control system and associated equipment
- École Élementaire Charles-Sauriol, in Toronto, will receive $346,477 to replace its ventilation system to improve energy efficiency.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the investment will make classrooms more comfortable and healthier for students and teachers.
He says the upgrades will help schools save on energy costs, while improving air quality — a hot-button issue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government notes that in provinces such as Ontario, which do not have their own price on carbon and instead have the federal carbon tax, all of the money goes back to the jurisdiction in which it was collected.
