TDSB passes budget for 2025-2026 with plan to eliminate $34.4M deficit
Trustees for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) have approved a budget for 2025-2026 that includes a plan to balance the board's books over the next two years.
The plan includes a number of cost-saving measures to eliminate a $34.4 million deficit, including a pause on issuing new Chromebooks for students in the coming school year in favour of recirculating devices returned by graduating Grade 12 students, a news release from the board said.
It also includes a $9.5 million spending cut in operating expenses for central departments of the board that will have "limited impact" on services. Fees will also rise for some continuing education programming, the TDSB said.
At a meeting in April, trustees heard the school board was facing a $58-million deficit for 2025-2026, with staff looking at a variety of options to balance the budget. Since then, trustees have passed more than $20 million in cuts, resulting in a current deficit of $34.4 million, a spokesperson for the school board said.
One of the cost-cutting options on the table was closing school pools the board doesn't lease out, which would have saved an estimated $12.8 million.
However that's not happening after public outcry.
Pools and aquatics instructors will continue to be available to students and community members for another year, the TDSB said in a Thursday news release.
Board staff are working on privately leasing more pools while also working with the City of Toronto on the use of TDSB pools, the release says.
The budget must now be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30 for final approval.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘We cannot waste any time': Anand promises ‘action' and reform in foreign affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand arrives for a caucus meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — Faced with escalating conflict in the Middle East, a collapsing global trade system and a department struggling to reform itself, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says she relishes the job of helping Canada navigate a turbulent world. In a wide-ranging interview Thursday with The Canadian Press, Anand said her experiences in both politics and academia can help her streamline Canada's approach to global issues, allowing it to pursue its interests without losing sight of its values. 'How do you ensure, when you have these large departments, that you're actually able to execute? That is the heart of government. It's the hardest thing to do,' Anand said. 'I enjoy difficult responsibilities.' She cited her time as defence minister, when she pushed the Canadian Armed Forces to address sexual misconduct and organized donations of military supplies to Ukraine's front line. Previously, as procurement minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, she pushed one of Ottawa's largest and most unwieldy departments to deliver vaccines across the country within days. Anand spoke of 'how hard it was to say, like, we gotta buy this stuff today.' 'That's kind of the same frame that I'm bringing to foreign affairs and it's super exciting,' she added. Anand said her job involves listening closely to what the foreign service says, even if she doesn't always follow its guidance. 'You have to think independently, taking into account the advice that you receive, but also ensuring that you're discharging your obligations to the Canadian public,' she said. 'I welcome the advice that my officials provide, but at the end of the day, the decisions that I make are based on an independent judgment about what is best for our country in terms of our diplomatic relationships and our foreign policy.' Much of her job, she said, involves supporting Prime Minister Mark Carney's quest to make Canada less dependent on the U.S. for trade and defence. 'We are considering every option to strengthen our collaboration with reliable trading partners and allies around the world,' she said. 'My role as foreign minister is to stand up for Canada in that process and to ensure that we are also standing up for peace, the safety of civilians and the respect for international law.' Carney has set the tone for much of Canada's foreign policy and Anand is accompanying the prime minister on a diplomatic trip to Europe next week. Canada will sign an agreement Monday in Brussels with the European Union that largely focuses on defence procurement. Carney and Anand will then head to the NATO summit in the Netherlands, where they hope to use new spending pledges from Canada and allies to keep the United States committed to collective defence. Carney's approach to foreign policy features a major tilt toward Europe and might include more outreach in Asia and Africa ahead of summits he is set to attend this fall on both continents. While his government is heeding allies' calls for a steep increase in defence spending, it's also bucking an international trend by promising not to cut foreign aid. 'We are deeply committed to multilateralism over unilateralism, to global co-operation over increased protectionism,' Anand said. 'We must showcase Canada's values in terms of peace, safety of civilians, and respect for international law. But we're at a time where we also need to strategically advance our economic interests here at home, and to ensure that we have defence and security arrangements in place for the protection of our own country.' She said her ministerial background in defence, procurement, transport and the Treasury Board — which oversees all other departments' spending — gives her a unique perspective on how governments can actually follow through on their promises. At the recent G7 summit in Alberta, she had a front-row seat as Canada's closest peers drafted statements on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to transnational repression. The summit allowed her to meet face-to-face with both representatives of Ottawa's traditional allies and officials from emerging nations with increasing clout — including her Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The Carney government is moving to restore diplomatic relations with India — a controversial move, given the recent history between Ottawa and New Delhi. In 2023 and 2024, former prime minister Justin Trudeau and the RCMP said there was evidence linking agents of the Indian government to the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., in June 2023. Last October, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the police force had evidence linking Indian government officials to other crimes in Canada, including extortion, coercion and homicide. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service identified India as one of the main drivers of foreign interference in a report it released this week. Anand said Ottawa is trying to restore parts of 'a long-standing relationship that has been put on hold for the last couple of years,' while respecting the law and institutions like the RCMP. 'The global strategic environment is very volatile and we need to carefully ensure that we are respecting the foundations of our democracy,' she said. Anand was born and raised in Nova Scotia by parents who immigrated from India. As a lawyer and professor in Toronto, she focused on the field of corporate governance — on how companies can reform the way they operate. Global Affairs Canada itself is under heavy pressure to change the way it works. The department launched a reform plan in February 2024 that included an admission that it can be 'slow to react or not focused enough' when major crises erupt, and that its staffing policies aren't keeping up with its growing responsibilities and tighter budgets. Things have only grown more complex since then, with Washington cutting back on foreign aid and moving closer to a revanchist Russia, while China pitches more trade with Canada and other countries. Canada has meanwhile promised to appoint new ambassadors across Africa and to open new embassies in Fiji and Benin, while somehow containing spending across government. Canada's critics have a history of claiming it's all talk when it comes to international relations. Trudeau was frequently criticized for raising human rights issues and inserting environmental policies in trade deals while failing to meet his government's defence spending targets or supply allies with liquefied natural gas. Foreign diplomats and departmental staff describe Anand as cautious, attentive and focused on results. While she's taking some time to get thoroughly briefed, she wants to deliver a lot — and soon. 'We have so much work to do and we cannot waste any time doing it,' she said. 'I am action-oriented myself and the prime minister knows this about me. And that's why we will make a good team on the foreign affairs front.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Business Brief: Canada's great population adjustment
Good morning. A monumental economic issue in Canada that has been overshadowed by the trade war is the reshaping of Canada's immigration system. After an influx of temporary residents flooded labour markets and sent rents soaring, cuts to immigration rates are taking effect. In fact, Canada's population is now growing at the slowest pace in a decade, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. More on that below. But first, today's headlines: Energy: Saskatchewan is extending the life of its coal-fired power plants, saying Ottawa has no jurisdiction to stop it. Rates: The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady yesterday and slowed the overall pace of expected future rate cuts in the face of the Trump administration's tariff plans Regulation: Convicted husband and wife fraudsters David and Natasha Sharpe must pay more than $27-million for their role in the Bridging Finance Inc. investment scheme, the Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal ruled For reasons that have never been entirely made sense, the Trudeau government dispensed with Canada's enviable immigration system and opened the door to a torrent of temporary workers and international students. In 2023 alone, Canada added 1.3 million people, which represented the highest rate of population growth since the 1950s. After the strains on infrastructure, housing and social services became apparent, the government set out a plan to course-correct the system. Prime Minister Mark Carney now aims to reduce immigration to 'sustainable levels' by capping the total number of temporary workers and international students at less than 5 per cent of Canada's population by the end of 2027. Those policy changes are starting to bring about some major demographic shifts. The national population was essentially flat in the first quarter, with growth of 0.05 per cent clocking in as the slowest non-pandemic reading since 2015. In a country with low birth rates that has long relied on immigration as an economic stimulant, these policy changes are bound to have some major knock-on effects throughout the Canadian economy. I discussed some of the moving parts with Robert Kavcic, senior economist at Bank of Montreal. You frame this as one of the biggest economic stories in Canada right now. Why? It's just a major policy change that touches on a lot of the issues that policymakers have been trying to figure out for a long time, like rent, inflation, affordability. Population growth is at the root of a lot of that. How much did immigration policies contribute to these problems? The population explosion we had put too much demand in a short amount of time that we couldn't match on the supply side. The rental market was extremely tight, and the minute somebody steps foot in Canada, they need a place to stay. But it takes years to actually put that supply through the pipeline. Same thing with transportation. It's very inflationary in the short run until we can build out to meet that demand. You also see Canada's productivity problems as linked, correct? I don't think it's a coincidence that as non-permanent resident inflows exploded, the productivity numbers really fell off. On an economy-wide basis, there was just more leaning on low-cost labour at the expense of capital investment. It doesn't speak to our long-standing productivity underperformance. It just made it a lot worse over the last two or three years. How much does Canada rely on immigration to shore up our economy? Very much. The labor supply pipeline that it brings in is absolutely necessary because Canadians don't really have babies anymore. It's just part of the system went off the rails. Is this a tough time to undergo such a big demographic adjustment while the Canadian economy is under such pressure? The question we got a lot is: Is the economy going to fall into recession because you're cutting population growth to zero? No, because you're taking a lot of stress off of things like service and rental inflation. That is going to allow the Bank of Canada to cut interest rates, which is a tide that lifts the whole economy. I think this actually rebalances the economy and makes it healthier. We're seeing rents come down, which is good for affordability, but is that going to deter investment in new housing units? I think so. We will see construction back off now. Toronto is probably ground zero of this where rents are falling and pre-construction activity is basically non-existent. Are there other pressure points? There are pockets of the economy that are going to feel it. Stuff like telecom subscriptions, university enrollment. It's just going to take some time to get the system back to normal. This interview has been edited for length and clarity The publicly traded company is a species in long-term decline. Since 2002, the number of operating companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange has declined by more than 40 per cent – a problem that has been masked by the boom in exchange-traded funds. Who's to blame? The big banks, according to finance professor J. Ari Pandes and Senator Colin Deacon. Pensions: The decline of the defined benefit pension has hit men hardest. Savings: For many Canadians, a rainy day looms. How to make an emergency fund work for you. Investing: Four tricks to help you keep your composure when financial markets turn ugly. Global stocks slid while investors took cover in safe havens as financial markets were on edge over the possible entry of the United States into the week-old Israel-Iran air war. TSX futures edged lower, while U.S. markets were closed for the Juneteenth holiday. Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.3 per cent in morning trading. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.29 per cent, Germany's DAX dropped 0.3 per cent and France's CAC 40 gave back 0.6 per cent. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei closed 1.02 per cent lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng tumbled almost 2 per cent. The Canadian dollar traded at 72.91 U.S. cents.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Letters to the editor, June 20: ‘On whom influences the U.S. President: depends on who he spoke with last'
Re 'Plus-minus' (Letters, June 19): A letter-writer wishes Mark Carney 'would show more sympathy for his fellow Canadians' while dealing with 'this walking nightmare' who once again 'leads' our southern neighbour. It's unlikely any global leader could have done a more impressive job of deftly dealing with, arguably, the most dangerous person alive today. While he clearly had to treat him with kid gloves, Mr. Carney rose to the occasion by nimbly stepping in to regain control of a press conference that the U.S. President was hijacking with more of his bluster and lies. He also provided some sort of signal of his true feelings while delivering a deliciously subtle wink to Emmanuel Macron during a pivotal moment at the G7 summit. Apparently 'a nod is as good as a wink' … to a blind President. Jeffrey Peckitt Oakville, Ont. Re 'PMO won't say if Carney spoke with Modi about India's alleged role in killing of Canadian Sikh leader' (June 19): Inviting Narendra Modi to the G7 summit, despite India not being a member, could be seen as a good diplomatic gesture. However, we should not forget the treatment the Modi administration extended to Justin Trudeau. Without delving into the complexities of Canada-India relations during Mr. Trudeau's tenure, it was evident to me that how he was treated did not align with diplomatic protocols. The Modi administration has every right to disagree with the Canadian government's positions, but diplomatic protocols should never be compromised under any circumstances. Moving forward, Canada should navigate its relationship with India with a renewed focus on mutual respect and strategic co-operation. While historical grievances should not be ignored, diplomacy should be exercised with a forward-looking approach that prioritizes national interests and global partnerships. Mr. Modi's invitation should be seen as an opportunity to ensure that diplomatic missteps do not hinder future collaborations between the two nations. Anas Khan Beaumont, Alta. Re 'On Iran, Donald Trump has a legacy-defining choice to make' (June 19): On whom influences the U.S. President: depends on who he spoke with last. If it is the hardcore isolationist 'make America great again' types, then Iran will likely face Israel alone. If it is the hardcore Republican hawks, then the United States will likely attack Iran. Difficult to say which is better or worse given the current situation. Perhaps it will be a bit of both, with a light dusting of bunker busters on Iranian nuclear facilities and then leaving the remainder of fighting to the two combatants. Clay Atcheson North Vancouver Re 'At risk' (Letters, June 18): 'If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.' With apologies to John F. Kennedy, I offer the following amendments to his quote: If a free society cannot encourage the investment and growth endeavours of the few who are rich, it cannot save the many who are poor. I believe the contrary is valid and, in our slow-growth and low-productivity economy, necessary. Ted Brough Woolwich, Ont. Re 'Housing remedy' (Letters, June 17): I live in a historic downtown neighbourhood. Dotted through it are multiplex buildings, typically two storeys tall, built in the 1920s and 1930s that often have eight apartments with balconies. These apartment buildings sit on land equivalent to two single-family homes. Usually these buildings have humanely sized units, making them desirable to both renters and owners. If we can build units similar to what already exists in these neighbourhoods, wouldn't that be easier to sell to neighbours and planning departments? Almost every historic city centre I visit has examples of this kind of dense urban planning from 80 to 100 years ago. How can NIMBY residents and planners deny such an application for similar development? Maybe give developers a partial break on development charges when they commit to historically appropriate infill. There will always be pushback when proposed infill housing sticks out like a sore thumb. Why reinvent the wheel? Mary Peirson-Cabena Guelph, Ont. Re 'Canada's population growth slows to a crawl after moves to curb immigration' (June 19): For the first time in a long time, it feels like our government is finally getting a handle on this matter, reining in reckless policies that flooded the country with too many people too quickly. It's no coincidence there are now more houses for sale for longer periods of time, and not being snapped up within hours of being listed. In fact, our daughter and her partner managed to buy a house for under asking recently. Still a lot more work to do on this file, but it's a start. Graham Farrell Toronto Re 'AI adoption is upending the job market for entry-level workers' (June 18): The tech industry is rotten. I worked in software development for 33 years and I am so glad to be retired. When I look back and ask whether my industry has been a net benefit to humanity, I have to conclude that the answer is no. All these corporate types with stars in their eyes can forget that artificial intelligence is trained on human-generated input. That means AI companies steal the hard work and intellectual property of human beings, with no compensation. AI is also consuming ever more energy. AI data centres will likely consume more electricity than everything else, meaning higher prices for everyone else. AI-generated output is increasingly displacing human-generated output. If there are no good entry-level jobs, how do companies expect to train workers to move up? Who do companies expect to sell their products and services to if there are legions of unemployed or underemployed people? Dianne Skoll Ottawa Re 'Oilers can't keep up in Stanley Cup rat race' (Sports, June 18): More telling than the 32-year drought for a Canadian Stanley Cup champion is the fact that eight Canadian teams have made the finals in that time, and are now 0 for 8. The reason to me is obvious: too much pressure. A little indifference from Canadian fans would help. My dream is to see a purely Canadian league with a mix of international players and a more international outlook. Players would be paid well, but not exorbitantly. Media and fan pressure on players would be less because it would be one league among others. Don't assume a Canadian league wouldn't be competitive. A 'champions league' can determine the best team. Don't assume that National Hockey League clubs would dominate – we have plenty of evidence for the strength of international hockey. The NHL is a U.S. business; let them have it. Ed Janicki Victoria Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@
