QUEEN’S PARK – MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to calls for the government to open up the classroom supplies program to small businesses, and Ontario and Indigenous vendors.
“Despite mandating the rest of the public sector to Buy Ontario, this government is giving away millions to a US company. Millions that could have stayed right here in Ontario to help keep small businesses afloat and local workers employed.
We join the call for the government to abandon the single vendor model and open up the classroom supplies program to allow Ontario, Indigenous and Canadian businesses to compete.
We also call on this government to make real investments in public education to support teachers and students. As teachers and students head back to school today, they deserve a government that puts their well-being first. It’s time for the government to get their priorities straight and actually address the massive school repair backlog, increase support for Special Education and increase per student funding to reduce class sizes and increase supports.”