TORONTO—A report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives finds that, despite the province’s $600 million increase in education spending, 18 of Ontario’s 72 school boards—27.8% of Ontario’s student population—have less total funding on a cost-adjusted basis than they did in 1997. Four public boards—Essex, Peel, Ottawa-Carleton, and Toronto—have less funding per student than they did in 1997.