Manitoba raises school funding, but one division warns increase may fall short

Manitoba school divisions will get a 3.5 per cent over funding increase for the 2026/27 school year, but some say the funding for classrooms and programming is

The Manitoba government says it will increase school funding by 3.5 per cent for the upcoming school year, but at least one fast-growing school division warns the boost may not be enough to keep pace with rising costs.

The province announced Monday it will add $79.8 million to next school year’s funding, which includes a $51 million increase for operating costs.

Under the funding formula, the Franco-Manitoban School Division will receive the largest relative operating increase at nine per cent, followed by the Portage la Prairie School Division at 6.8 per cent.

The Winnipeg School Division, the province’s largest, will see a 3.8 per cent increase, or about $9.2 million, for the 2026–27 school year.

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said the overall 3.5 per cent increase exceeds the rate of inflation. Statistics Canada reports the consumer price index rose an average of 2.1 per cent last year.

“We’re also continuing the formula guarantee so that there is no division here in Manitoba that will receive a reduction in funding for the 2026–27 school year,” Schmidt said during the announcement at Earl Grey School in Winnipeg.

However, Pembina Trails School Division Superintendent and CEO Shelley Amos said the increase will not meet her division’s needs. Pembina Trails is expecting a 1.2 per cent funding increase, down from 1.7 per cent last year.

“This won’t cover our increased expenses due to contractual obligations and inflation,” Amos said in an emailed statement to CTV News.

“This funding announcement may result in reductions to programming or increases in local taxation,” she said. The division includes 36 schools.

Mountain View School Division is expected to receive the smallest relative increase at 0.7 per cent, or about $200,000, followed by Park West School Division at one per cent.

The province also announced a $15.2 million increase in capital funding for schools, along with $16.6 million for independent schools.

In addition, teacher salaries are being standardized across Manitoba, with the government committing funding to assist divisions most affected by the change.

‘Manitobans should brace themselves for significant school tax increases’: PC critic

Progressive Conservative education critic Wayne Ewasko said the operating funding increase amounts to just 2.9 per cent, which he argues does not keep pace with inflation.

“Manitobans should brace themselves for significant school tax increases on their property taxes coming up,” Ewasko told CTV News on Monday.

Ewasko, the MLA for Lac du Bonnet and a former education minister, said school divisions will still need additional funding to cover operating costs, which he expects will be passed on to ratepayers.

He attributed some of the pressure to the NDP government’s decision to eliminate the Progressive Conservatives’ 50 per cent education property tax rebate.

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), which represents teachers across the province, said the funding increase does not meet students’ needs.

“Manitoba’s students have been waiting too long for adequate support,” MTS president Lillian Klausen said in a news release.

“It is unfortunate that, based on today’s announcement, they will continue to wait while needs continue to balloon.”