MPP Jim McDonell tables motion to stop rural school closures

Cornwall Ontario – MPP Jim McDonell reports that on November 21st, a large number of people from across rural Ontario, many from Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, converged on Queen’s Park to demand the Government stop the current Pupil Accommodation Review that proposed the closure of up to 600 schools in Ontario.

He says, “I have tabled a motion calling for the suspension of the current process until a review of rural education is conducted, engaging rural school boards, school communities and municipalities. The Government continues to blame the school boards, but it is clear that the boards are simply taking the fall as they follow government regulation and react to severe funding cuts.

The agri-food industry is Canada’s number one industry. It depends on sustainable rural primary and secondary education. It’s time it got the support it deserves,” McDonell stated.