Author Description

There are two myths about Ontario Catholic separate schools: * One is that Ontario Catholic separate schools are funded by the property taxes of the supporters of separate schools.* The second is that prior to Confederation Catholic separate schools were funded on the same basis as public schools. Neither myth is true.Only about 6% to 10% of the operating revenues of Ontario Catholic separate schools overall come from the property taxes of separate Catholic school supporters. Most of the funding comes from general Ontario revenues. Prior to Confederation in 1867, Catholic separate schools received about 61% to 71% of the funding per student of public schools. Most of their funding came from their property taxes and the contributions of their supporters. The provincial funding they did receive was only about 20% of their total revenues, and was on the same per capita basis as the funding of public schools. Today, by contrast, Catholic separate schools receive about $1,500 to $3,000 per student more in provincial operating grants than public schools. They have, overall, more operating revenue per student than public schools.Even though they are supported by public funds, they are legally allowed to discriminate against non-Catholic teachers and teaching assistants. No other religions or philosophies have any funding for their schools in Ontario, only Catholic separate schools.This book summarizes the key and unexpected steps that transformed these schools from their very different position in 1867 to their privileged position and public funding today. It also briefly summarizes what could be done to change this surprising situation in a multicultural country with a Charter of Rights.