- Total education spending in public schools over the last 10 years increased from $61.5 billion in 2012/13 to $82.5 billion in 2021/22. This represents an increase in nominal spending of 34.1%.
- Per-student spending adjusted for inflation (price changes) increased by 5.1% nationally from 2012/13 to 2021/22.
- The highest inflation-adjusted, per-student spending increases occurred in the provinces of Quebec (33.7%), Prince Edward Island (21.6%), Nova Scotia (12.3%), and British Columbia (6.7%). The data does not differentiate between temporary spending related to COVID-19âwhich may have resulted in children returning to classrooms more quicklyâand ongoing spending.Â
- Three provinces saw declines in inflation-adjusted per-student spendingâAlberta (17.2%), Saskatchewan (14.9%), and Newfoundland & Labrador (9.8%).
- Quebec had the lowest level of per-student spending in public schools in 2012/13 and now has the highest. Prince Edward Island went from ninth in per-student spending to third highest. On the other hand, Saskatchewan went from the highest in per-student spending to seventh, and Alberta went from third highest to tenth (lowest).
- Even though British Columbia recorded the fourth-highest growth in adjusted per-student spending, it still ranks eighth in per-student spending in Canada.
- Student enrolment across Canada increased by an average of 5.1% from 2012/13 to 2021/22. Three provinces saw a decrease in enrolment: Newfoundland & Labrador (5.8%), New Brunswick (1.8%), and Ontario (0.1%).
- Compensation remains the largest and costliest aspect of education spending and has contributed the largest portion to the growth of total education spending in Canada.
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- More specifically from 2012-13 to 2021-22 the latest year of available data after adjusting for inflation and enrolment changes per-student spending increased in 1
- P.E.I. from 13812 to 16800 or 21.6 per cent the largest increase in the country outside Quebec 1
- Nova Scotia from 14292 to 16045 or 12.3 per cent the second-largest increase in Canada outside Quebec 1
- New Brunswick from 16917 to 17172 or 1.5 per cent the second-smallest increase in Canada 1
- During the same 10-year period per-student spending in Newfoundland and Labrador decreased from 15856 to 14307 or by 9.8 per cent. 1
- In every province compensation salaries wages fringe benefits and pensions comprised most of the spending growth. 1