Ontario Teachers Flag Higher Prices on Ford Government's New Staples Portal
Teachers say some items on the new Staples portal cost more than school board prices as Ontario’s $750 classroom supply program draws scrutiny.
- Ontario teachers accessing the Ford government's new Staples classroom supply portal since Sep. 1 are reporting prices significantly higher than those previously negotiated by their school boards.
- The $66 million program grants homeroom elementary teachers $750 each for supplies but faced scrutiny over its single-vendor contract and website readiness issues at the start of the school year.
- Screenshots shared by Toronto District School Board teachers show duotangs listed at 96 cents compared with 38 cents previously, prompting one anonymous teacher to write, "We are being absolutely swindled."
- Education Minister Paul Calandra defended the portal, insisting teachers are overlooking 200 priority products priced at the lowest available rates and urging them to report errors rather than posting on TikTok.
- Government officials continue working with Staples to address errors and expand the list of priority products as feedback arrives, though Calandra emphasized the portal is "not meant to be perfect from day one.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Are Ontario teachers really getting the best discounts on school supplies?
With school set to begin in just a few days, Ontario elementary teachers now have access to an online portal run by big-box office supply retailer Staples, allowing them to buy supplies for the coming school year.
Orillia Matters
Ontario teachers flag higher prices on Ford government's new Staples portal
‘It's not meant to be perfect from day one,’ said the education minister as the Ford government’s $750 classroom supply program faces scrutiny over pricing and rollout
The Toronto Star
The Hamilton SpectatorOntario teachers have to order school supplies from a Staples portal. They found cheaper prices on Staples’ regular website
Staples Canada said Tuesday night a dedicated phone line has been set up “to respond to any price differences” and they will price match.
Ontario’s new supplies portal for teachers is live, but some say prices are higher than in stores
Ontario has launched its online classroom supply portal, providing elementary homeroom teachers a $750 allowance through a provincial deal with Staples. However, as CBC's Lorenda Reddekopp explains, the launch has drawn criticism, with some educators saying the portal's prices are higher than those in store.
PASMA: Ford government’s tough talk on U.S. goes quiet as Staples overcharges educators
Language English News Content: PASMA: Ford government’s tough talk on U.S. goes quiet as Staples overcharges educators QUEEN’S PARK –– Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Education Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West––Nepean) is continuing to call on Doug Ford and his Conservative government to throw out their school supplies deal with American-owned Staples, following news that the retailer is charging Ontario educators higher-than-retail prices through t…
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