In the 2020-21 school year, school boards were allocated over $550 million for improvements in ventilation and air quality. As a result, in schools with mechanical ventilation:
- 99 per cent of the systems have been assessed and/or recommissioned to optimize air flow
- 92 per cent of the filters are being changed more frequently and/or using higher grade air filters, including MERV-13 rated air filters
- 91 per cent are running systems longer
- 87 per cent have increased fresh air intake
- Over 50,000 standalone HEPA filter units and other ventilation devices purchased
Canada and Ontario have announced $450 million in funding specifically for HVAC and window projects, supporting 2,052 ventilation improvement projects in over 1,670 schools and co-located childcare facilities across 70 school boards. Education Minister Stephen Lecce says most projects are underway in preparation for the 2021-22 school year.
In the 2021-22 school year the province will fund:
- $29.4 million to operate ventilation systems longer and replace filters more frequently
- $25 million to ensure that all occupied instructional spaces without mechanical ventilation, as well as JK-SK classrooms in mechanically ventilated schools, have standalone high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter units.
Also, the $1.4 billion annual school renewal allocation provided to school boards can be used for a range of projects including renewing and upgrading ventilation systems.