P R O T E C T S C H O O L L A N D S

WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

Toronto school boards have filed an appeal to redesignate school lands for mid-rise development.  

If the appeal succeeds, over 100 active school properties located on major streets — including their buildings, playgrounds, and parking lots — will redesignated to enable 6-14 storey buildings.

Redesignation does not mean the lands will be rezoned immediately, but it removes an important barrier towards future development. It's a critical first step.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Redesignation will increase the value of school lands and could create pressure to dispose of them if enrolment is low.

Schools properties could be carved up by selling their green spaces and playgrounds in order to raise funds. 

Given that Toronto school boards are now under the direct control of the Province, instead of locally-elected school trustees, decisions are being made behind closed doors and the local community’s interests are no longer represented.

This appeal also impacts surrounding residents who use school grounds for green space — especially needed in dense, urban areas. We need our communities to thrive 20, 50 years from now, and good planning means schools must remain at their centre.

This is not about housing. Hundreds of kilometres have been newly redesignated for development in Toronto - which means we will need our schools and outdoor spaces even more. School lands should be off the table.

Schools were paid for by the public and are valuable community assets. Once those lands are sold, it's almost impossible to get them back.