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 $13.6 million for a new secondary school by converting the existing École élémentaire catholique des Deux-Rivières into a JK-12 school in this growing community. This project will, when complete, deliver 184 new secondary student spaces for local families in the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est.
"The funding to expand École élémentaire catholique des Deux-Rivières to provide French Catholic education for secondary school students in Arnprior is great news for our community," said Billy Denault. "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 announcement was highly anticipated in the region. For many families, it means that their children will be able to pursue their secondary education in French in Arnprior, in a modern, accessible and stimulating learning environment that supports their success, well- being and sense of belonging."
- Daniel Levasseur, School Trustee
"We sincerely thank the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Education for this concrete support for francophone families in Arnprior. This investment will allow more students to complete their entire educational journey in French, within their own community, directly contributing to the vitality of the francophone community in the region."
- Johanne Lacombe, Chair of the CECCE
École secondaire catholique Arnprior will convert the existing École élémentaire catholique des Deux-Rivières M-8 into a JK-12 school at 240 promenade Baskin Ouest in Arnprior.
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.
