The Ontario government has announced a major investment in new school infrastructure, committing $162 million to build two brand-new high schools and expand an existing elementary school in the Ottawa region. This construction surge is part of the province’s broader plan to invest $23 billion over 10 years to build, renew, and modernize learning environments across Ontario. For Ottawa’s growing communities, these three projects will relieve crowding, expand program offerings, and provide the modern facilities needed to support student achievement for generations.
Building Modern Learning Environments for a Growing Population
Ottawa continues to experience rapid growth, and school boards across the city have been calling for additional space to keep up with rising enrollment. According to Minister of Education Paul Calandra, the province’s investment is aimed at ensuring students learn in environments that are safe, modern, and built to support long-term success. “These investments will help students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed and prepare for rewarding careers,” Calandra said.
Ontario News reports that the capital investments include major construction undertakings in three Ottawa communities:
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$77.7 million to build the new Half Moon Bay Secondary School in Barrhaven, serving 1,474 students in Grades 7–12 under the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
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$74.7 million for the new Mer Bleue High School in Orléans, providing space for 1,439 students in the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
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$9.7 million for a large addition to l’École élémentaire publique Mamawi, including 104 new student spaces and 39 licensed child care spaces, supported in part by nearly $1.6 million from the Canada-Ontario language education agreement.
All three projects are shovel-ready and may begin construction as early as Spring 2026.
Construction and Design Priorities for the New Schools
These schools will be purpose-built to meet today’s learning needs, including specialty classrooms, advanced technology integration, and flexible layouts. While detailed designs will move forward during upcoming site plan and procurement phases, several priorities will shape their development:
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High-capacity layouts optimized for Grades 7–12 programming, with dedicated spaces for science, arts, athletics, and technical education.
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Modern mechanical and electrical systems designed for long-term sustainability and energy efficiency.
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Child care integration at l’École Mamawi, supporting families while maximizing use of the expanded facility.
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Barrier-free accessibility across all new construction, meeting or exceeding AODA standards.
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Durable materials and high-performance building envelopes suited to Ottawa’s climate and long-term maintenance needs.
These projects fall under the province’s Capital Priorities Program, which supports new school construction, additions, and major facility renewal.
Responding to Shifting Enrollment Trends Across Ottawa
The province’s investment comes at a time when French-language and Catholic school boards are experiencing significant enrollment growth. Minister Calandra noted rising demand for French Immersion, French public, and Catholic education exceeding that of English public boards in many regions.
Enrollment increases reported as of October 31 include:
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Ottawa Catholic School Board: +1,657 students
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Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario: significant growth driven by French-language demand
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Ottawa-Carleton District School Board: +200 students, but still 1,130 below projections, contributing to a $5.4 million deficit this year
To address these imbalances, the province plans to use new powers under Bill 33, which allows the Minister of Education to transfer underutilized English public school facilities to boards with high demand, particularly French-language boards. Minister Calandra emphasized that the province is “taking a hard look” at where space is needed most, noting that French and Catholic students often outperform their English public counterparts on EQAO results.
Strengthening Ottawa’s Educational Infrastructure Through Construction
With historic levels of capital funding which is over $1.3 billion annually for school construction and renewal, the province is pushing forward dozens of modernization projects. For Ottawa’s construction sector, these three new builds and expansions represent major multi-year work involving excavation, structural trades, building systems, exterior envelope work, and interior finishing.
Construction on the Ottawa projects will be scheduled to minimize community disruption while meeting ambitious timelines. As school boards continue to face capacity pressures, delivering buildings efficiently and to the highest standards is essential.
Construction Trades Involved
The development of the three Ottawa school projects will rely on a wide range of construction trades, including:
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Site preparation and earthworks crews
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Concrete forming and rebar installation
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Structural steel erectors
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Masons and exterior cladding installers
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Roofing contractors
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Curtain wall, glazing, and window installers
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Mechanical (HVAC) technicians and sheet metal workers
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Plumbers, pipefitters, and fire protection teams
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Electricians and low-voltage/data specialists
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Drywall, framing, and interior carpentry teams
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Flooring, tiling, and interior finishing trades
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Painters and millwork installers
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Landscape and civil contractors for schoolyards, parking areas, and walkways
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Project managers, quality assurance inspectors, and health and safety officers
These trades work together to deliver high-quality educational environments that meet Ontario’s strict building and safety standards.
Looking Ahead
As construction nears its Spring 2026 start date, families in Barrhaven, Orléans, and across Ottawa can anticipate state-of-the-art learning facilities designed to support student success for decades. The province’s investment ensures that fast-growing communities receive the infrastructure they need while strengthening the education system across Ontario.
