My question is to the Premier. Special-education needs within the Greater Essex County District School Board are continuing to grow. An additional 200 students will need special-education supports for the next school year. Their deficit for 2023-24 special-education funding is projected at $10.2 million.

The board has flagged the increasing needs of their special-education programs with the Conservative government multiple times. In December last year, the GECDSB wrote to the Minister of Education calling on the province to address “significant underfunding,” and that the board expects to spend an additional $5.4 million on special education this year.

Speaker, why won’t the Premier adequately fund the special-education programs needed and support the students of Windsor-Essex?

In fact, Speaker, in Lambton-Kent, the province is only funding a quarter of the special-education needs. Toronto District School Board has a $67.6-million shortfall when it comes to special education. As I said, in the Greater Essex County District School Board, their shortfall is projected at $10.2 million. They’ve already said it’s going to cost them $5.4 million for special education this coming school year.

Speaker, students across Ontario with special-education needs, their parents and families deserve a government that is making the necessary investments to see all students thrive. Will the Premier stop shortchanging students with special-education needs and properly fund the special-education programming and supports that all students need to thrive?