Ontario Providing Record Supports with New School in Ottawa

August 28, 2025

OTTAWA – Today, George Darouze, MPP for Carleton, announced that the new Riverside South Secondary School will be welcoming new students in September for the 2025-26 school year. This project is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.

The province is providing Ottawa-Carleton District School Board with $63.1 million to build the new school in Ottawa. This project delivers 1,516 secondary spaces and 39 licensed childcare spaces for local families for the 2025-26 school year.

“The long-awaited opening of this high school in Riverside South will ensure a quality learning experience in a state-of-the-art facility,” said MPP Darouze. “A high school in a community like this is more than just a high school. It is a hub that will connect future students and their families to this community forever. Riverside South is also one of the largest communities in the province that, up until now, did not have an English public high school. Students faced long bus rides into other communities daily, making the opening of the new school welcomed at a number of levels.”

Ontario is providing $23 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years. Since 2018, the government has approved or supported the development of approximately 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.

“Our goal is clear: to provide students with the opportunity to succeed and grow, and ensure teachers have the resources and environment they need to inspire learning and help students thrive,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We will continue to invest in safe, modern schools while strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario’s education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.”

While Ontario is delivering record education funding this school year of $30.3 billion, we are making sure every dollar is spent responsibly and directed to the classroom by strengthening accountability across school boards, supporting teachers, and most importantly, benefiting students. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’re building modern schools to support the needs of Ontario’s students, families and growing communities. By investing in new and innovative learning spaces, we’re ensuring students have access to the best education that will equip them with lifelong skills and education,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “These investments are part of our more than $200 billion capital plan to protect Ontario by getting shovels in the ground faster on the projects that matter most to Ontario families.”

“The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is excited to welcome students and staff to Riverside South Secondary School as one of the forty-one new school sites opening across the province this school year.” said Dr. Pino Buffone, Director of Education of Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. “I am looking forward to visiting the school this fall season to witness firsthand the dynamic teaching and learning environments taking place at this wonderful new site.”

Riverside South Secondary School is located at 4601 Spratt Road in Ottawa.

Quick Facts:

• Over the past two years, the government has committed $1.3 billion annually to support new school buildings, school expansion and renovations across the province — the highest level of school capital funding in Ontario’s history.

• Since 2018, the government has supported about 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.

• The government has introduced Bill 33: Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 that, if passed, would strengthen oversight of school board finances, governance and program performance and grant the Minister of Education the authority to act swiftly in matters of public interest.

• When school boards fail to meet their responsibilities, the government has not hesitated to act. Supervisors have been appointed to five school boards to address concerns related to growing deficits, depleted reserves and mismanagement.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Office of George Darouze, MPP Carleton

Phone : 613-838-4425

Email: george.darouze@pc.ola.org