Across Canada, many schools are aging—leaky roofs, outdated heating systems, crumbling walls, and classrooms built for a world that no longer exists. Some communities face overcrowding, while others watch half-empty schools close due to shifting demographics. Infrastructure tells a story of where we’ve invested—and where we haven’t.
Why Capital Projects Matter
Safety and health: Mold, asbestos, poor ventilation, and broken plumbing directly affect student well-being.
Modern learning needs: Today’s classrooms need connectivity, flexible spaces, and labs suited for digital and hands-on learning.
Equity across communities: Wealthier areas often get newer schools faster, while marginalized communities wait.
Climate adaptation: Schools need to withstand extreme weather, reduce emissions, and act as safe hubs during crises.
The Challenges
Delays and cost overruns are common, especially in large builds.
Political cycles mean projects are announced, paused, or cancelled with elections.
Reactive funding: Often, only the most urgent repairs get addressed, leaving long-term needs untouched.
Public vs private models: Debates over P3s (public-private partnerships) raise concerns about accountability and cost efficiency.
Toward Sustainable Infrastructure
Transparent planning: Multi-year capital plans published and monitored by communities.
Prioritization for equity: Rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities can’t be last in line.
Green standards: Building and retrofitting schools to be energy efficient and climate resilient.
Community use: Schools as hubs—designed for shared use beyond just the school day.
The Question
Are we treating schools as temporary warehouses for kids or as long-term investments in communities? And if it’s the latter, how do we make capital projects resilient against politics, budget shifts, and short-term thinking?
Capital Projects and School Infrastructure
The State of Our Schools
Across Canada, many schools are aging—leaky roofs, outdated heating systems, crumbling walls, and classrooms built for a world that no longer exists. Some communities face overcrowding, while others watch half-empty schools close due to shifting demographics. Infrastructure tells a story of where we’ve invested—and where we haven’t.
Why Capital Projects Matter
The Challenges
Toward Sustainable Infrastructure
The Question
Are we treating schools as temporary warehouses for kids or as long-term investments in communities? And if it’s the latter, how do we make capital projects resilient against politics, budget shifts, and short-term thinking?