Rural schools anchor small town Ontario

“Rural schools help keep communities strong, which is why we’re not only committed to keeping them open – but strengthening them.” – Premier Dalton McGuinty

Over the years small schools have been studied for closure across Haldimand-Norfolk. While some elementary schools have narrowly escaped closing, others have been less fortunate and have seen their doors closed permanently.

I have fought for Delhi, Burford, Valley Heights and Port Dover high schools and all but Burford remain open today – this meant countless meetings, petitions and briefs to the school board and the Ministry of Education.

It seems the issue of school closures is cyclical but parents were told that the man who describes himself as the education Premier would put an end to the debate. In September 2007, just prior to the election, Mr. McGuinty promised his government would keep rural schools open because, in the words of the Premier, “For rural kids, few things are more important than being able to go to school in your own community, with your own friends. Rural schools help keep communities strong, which is why we’re not only committed to keeping them open – but strengthening them.”

Despite this vow and a commitment of $550 million, over 50 rural schools have been slated for closure in the past nine months – 300 more are being studied. Sadly, the Premier’s reaction has been silence. He has refused to answer questions in the House concerning school closures.

The issue of school closures is an important debate – not one that should be subject to partisan politics. Rural and small-town Ontario is under siege and the present government now seems unwilling or unable to come to its aid.

Two weeks ago the government announced that it had finally put together the ‘declining enrolment work group’ expected to give their recommendations before the ‘funding formula review’ in 2010. Unfortunately, this will do nothing for the schools that are recommended for closure this year and next.

Last week Ontario’s Official Opposition brought forth a motion calling on the government to suspend any and all board-recommended rural school closures until both the ‘funding formula review’ and a thorough assessment of alternate uses for rural schools have been completed. But the Ontario Liberals defeated the motion.

Regrettably, the current government doesn’t seem to understand that there is an Ontario beyond the walls of Queen’s Park. School closings mean that students spend more time on buses and less time with their families. School closings mean that communities wither away as young families are forced to move to another town to find a local school.

It’s time that the Premier made good on his promise from the last election to show that the students of rural Ontario are not out of his sight. I assure you that the PC caucus is mindful of the fact that our job at Queen’s Park is to represent the people of Ontario -- no matter how far away from downtown Toronto they may live. Students and parents in my riding of Haldimand-Norfolk are a priority and I will continue to fight to keep our schools open.

Small towns across the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk have taken a beating over the past several years. With school closures at the forefront once again, I am afraid the immediate future does not look bright.