As of December 20, 2024, Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) will be laying off approximately 50 Educational Assistants due to ongoing uncertainties surrounding Jordan’s Principle funding.
Jordan’s Principle is a Government of Canada program designed to ensure that First Nations children receive timely access to the services and supports they need.
In May 2024, WRSD submitted a group application for federal grant funding under this program to provide essential educational supports for eligible First Nations students. Historically, these grants have been approved at the regional level, enabling the division to offer critical services without interruption.
Based on this expectation, WRSD hired several additional Educational Assistants for the start of the 2024–2025 school year for the purpose of providing support to eligible First Nations students.
This year’s funding approval process has changed and been delayed at the federal level.
WRSD says it is not in a financial position to sustain these services without the necessary funding. By the end of December, the division will have already invested approximately $750,000 to maintain these critical supports for Indigenous students and families.
The Board of Trustees will continue to advocate for this funding.
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