On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, SPACE Coalition Co-Chair Susan Fletcher spoke to the TDSB's Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee. In response to a significant budgetary shortfall, TDSB staff recommended a review of permit fees to ensure the fees fully recover the ancillary costs such as nonscheduled custodian services, media and technology specialists, stage crews, security officers and parking attendants. As well, the TDSB is looking to recover funds they are providing to subsidize the use of space, above and beyond what is provided through the Province's Community Use of Schools grant.

Our SPACE Coalition Co-Chair shared the following thoughts with the committee.

From now until January 31, 2024, the Government of Ontario is conducting their pre-budget consultations. They are looking to hear from workers, families, business owners and communities on what they would like to see in the 2024 Budget. This is your opportunity to shape provincial priorities and let your voice be heard.

On Thursday, June 1, the Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee of the TDSB received a report on permit fees increases. As outlined in article 6.18 of Policy P.011, fees are adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Therefore, it was recommended that permit fees be increased by 6.3% for permits beginning September 1, 2023, except for outdoor fields for which the new fees will be effective January 1, 2024.

SPACE Coalition Co-Chair Susan Fletcher made a delegation to the committee, recommending that the board consider opting for a smaller increase or deferring it to allow users more time to plan and budget.

Ontario's pre-budget consultations are underway! From now until Feb 10, let the provincial government know what's important to you. Budget consultations are a critical opportunity to help shape the social and economic outcomes across the province.

As Ontarians prepare to go to the polls on June 2, the SPACE Coalition reached out to the four main provincial parties to gauge their commitment to community use of schools.

Along with our Briefing Note, we asked each party if, when, and how they would support the following recommendations:

Every year the provincial government seeks input from individuals and organizations to build their budget. The provincial budget impacts community use of space in many ways, both directly and indirectly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the state of the world. Everyday activities that we thought we could rely on - such as our children going to school five days a week - have been brought into question. While the current pandemic has had devastating impacts, may there also be opportunities to create change for the better? The SPACE Coalition sat down with Dr. Charles Pascal to discuss how we may seize this moment in history to restore schools as inclusive, welcoming public assets for use by the entire community.

Even though Ontario entered another stay-at-home order last week, we still see a new normal on the horizon. With the vaccine rollout ramping up and warmer weather approaching, there is reason to believe that reprieve from the consecutive lockdowns is around the corner.

We here at the SPACE Coalition continue to strategize about how community use of school space can be maximized when the time arrives that we can resume permits.

A key piece of this work has been our new briefing note, Maximizing community use of school space. This document outlines key considerations and recommendations for improving access to school space when herd immunity has been substantially achieved.

Members of the SPACE Coalition regularly attend the TDSB Community Use of Schools Community Advisory Committee. It is through this platform that we receive updates on community access to school facilities, which we are dedicated to sharing with the broader community.

After very limited access since the start of the pandemic, the TDSB is considering a phased in re-entry plan for permit use.

Ontario's budget is a financial plan for how it brings in and spends money. The budget defines how much money goes towards social and communities services, including access to public spaces.

Every year the Government of Ontario seeks input from the public on matters related to its budget.