Ottawa to give provinces $2B to bolster safe reopening of schools this fall

The federal government is providing up to $2 billion to help get schools ready to safely welcome back students.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Wednesday in Toronto.

The money is on top of the $19 billion already promised to provinces and territories to help them cope with the continuing impact of COVID-19.

Each province and territory will be free to spend the money as they see fit.

• Inside Hamilton’s elementary schools and changes that will greet students when they return

There will also be $112 million to help schools in First Nations communities.

Trudeau says children must be safe in their classrooms and parents shouldn’t be losing sleep over this.

Schools have been shut down across the country since COVID-19 started sweeping across Canada in mid-March.