Lee Fairclough Pledges to Fix Underfunding in Education, Reduce Class Sizes and Reverse OSAP Cuts

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2026 — Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Lee Fairclough announced her plan today to strengthen the province’s publicly funded education system — our best investment in Ontario’s future.

“The Ford Conservative’s cuts and disrespect for public education have weakened one of Ontario’s biggest advantages: public education,” said Fairclough. “We need to treat public education as an investment and ensure every student can reach their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Fairclough’s comprehensive policy covers early learning through post-secondary education. As Premier, she would close the $6.3-billion underfunding gap created by the Ford government, tie core school funding to inflation, and cut class sizes. She would also immediately reverse the Conservative’s cuts to OSAP, removing a major barrier to pursuing post-secondary education.

Fairclough’s Fighting for Public Education and Every Student plan focuses on four key priorities:

• Early Learning: Create an Early Childhood Education (ECE) tax credit to help address low wages and help retain staff. Ensure child care is affordable. Increase on-site child care at public organizations.
• Educators, education workers and Classrooms: Close the $6.3-billion funding gap and tie core funding to inflation. Shrink class sizes, increase Early Childhood Education worker ratios, and ensure classes have the right mix of expertise to meet classroom needs. End mandatory online learning, restore respect for educators, education workers and school boards, and keep politics out of curriculum.
• Specialized Learning & Mental Health: Speed up public assessments for special education. Put more mental health professionals directly into schools. Ensure no child is sent home due to a lack of support. Invest in opportunities to learn in French and for specialized learning.
• Affordable Post-Secondary: Reverse Doug Ford’s OSAP cuts. Prioritize public and not-for-profit education including through reinvesting OSAP funds into public colleges and universities instead of private career colleges. Expand training and workplace opportunities, especially in Northern and rural Ontario. Connect students with skilled trades and career pathways starting in Grade 7.

To read the full education plan, visit leefairclough.ca/policy/education.

Media Contact: media@leefairclough.ca