[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
TORONTO \u2014 The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is urging the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to support \u201copen tendering\u201d to help address its funding shortfall, just days after the board passed its budget with cuts in an attempt to eliminate a $34.4 million deficit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems irresponsible for the board to close swimming pools, and cut music and outdoor education programs when there\u2019s another cost cutting measure it chooses to ignore,\u201d said Karen Renkema, VP Ontario at PCA, in a statement. \u201cIt\u2019s time the board put students first, by reducing costs through open tendering.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the PCA, each year, the TDSB spends millions of dollars on repairs and related projects and awards repair contracts to the same companies affiliated with select unions. By restricting competition, repair costs have risen dramatically, the association claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpen tendering is a procurement process that allows all qualified contractors and their workers to bid on, and build publicly funded construction projects,\u201d the PCA notes. \u201cUnion affiliation is not a prerequisite. Back in 2019, the TDSB voted to opt out of provincial legislation that would have allowed it to openly tender school construction work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Think-tank Cardus has stated the move could have saved the board approximately 21 per cent on construction work, which translates into a $77.7 million savings annually.<\/p>\n
The Ontario government is also currently investigating the TDSB\u2019s finances, which Education Minister Paul Calandra says points to a \u201cpattern of mismanagement and misplaced priorities,\u201d PCA states.<\/p>\n
The TDSB approved its budget for 2025-2026 last week, which includes a plan to balance the board\u2019s\u00a0books over the next two years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n