News release

Province Creates New School in Historic Acadian Community

Education and Early Childhood Development

The Province is creating a new French first-language school to serve the historic Acadian community of Tor Bay, Guysborough County.

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP), with support from the Department of Public Works, will install modular classrooms next to the Larry’s River Community Centre to create the school. Staff and students will be able to access the community centre’s meeting rooms, kitchen and playground. CSAP will work with the community on a long-term infrastructure solution.

“To the families and students of Tor Bay and surrounding area, I’m so happy your education journey can take place in your community,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “This move will enhance French first-language programming for this historic Acadian community.”

CSAP has heard from about 50 students interested in attending the new school, which will have classes from pre-primary to Grade 9. CSAP intends to open the new school, not yet named, during the 2023-24 school year.

The Province is providing the capital and operating funding. The new modulars are part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s five-year capital plan released June 16. This school is in addition to the eight schools announced in the capital plan.

The plan invests nearly $1 billion in building new schools and improving or expanding current schools.

Quotes:

“Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community is growing. This announcement reaffirms our government’s commitment to support French first-language education and to ensure the continued vibrancy of our rich Acadian and Francophone language and culture.”

– Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie

“This is a historic moment for our community, and we are pleased by this announcement from the Government of Nova Scotia. Students in our community will now have access to French first-language education. This new school will allow the community’s francophone and Acadian culture and language to flourish.”

– Marcel Cottreau, Chair, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial

Quick Facts:

  • in 2021, the historic Acadian region of Tor Bay was recognized by the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse and became a member
  • the closest CSAP school to Tor Bay is 82 kilometres away
  • the Province is investing $948 million over multiple years in the school capital plan; $240.8 million was announced in March and $707.2 million is new funding
  • the Nova Scotia School Capital Plan addresses immediate enrolment needs by investing $120 million in modular classrooms for schools and includes $54 million for capital repairs and $511 million to complete previously announced school projects

Additional Resources:

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial: https://csap.ca/

Nova Scotia School Capital Plan: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/capitalplan

Follow Us