"Ontario's safe schools plan has worked to keep students safe from COVID-19, while allowing them to continue their learning journey and resume safe social interactions with their friends and classmates. As we continue to see increased rates of community transmission, our schools have been remarkably successful at minimizing outbreaks to ensure that our kids stay safe and learning in their classrooms.

Our focus remains protecting the progress we have made in our schools this fall, as we look to and plan for the new year, so that students can continue to go to school each and every day.

We have consulted with the Chief Medical Officer of Health as well as the Public Health Measures Table and have determined that an extended winter holiday is not necessary at this time, given Ontario's strong safety protocols, low levels of transmission and safety within our schools.

We are fully committed to building upon our national leading plan to keep kids learning and safe. We will continue to consider any option and take decisive action to ensure we deliver on this shared priority of keeping schools open in January and beyond.

As we safeguard the progress we've made in our schools, we will continue to closely monitor all indicators, trends and numbers to protect the safety of our children, their families and all frontline staff in Ontario's schools"

Hon. Stephen Lecce

Ontario's Minister of Education