Schools

During the mid-1990s, Nova Scotia decided to use the Public-Private-Partnership (P-3) formula to construct schools throughout the province. This approach involved collaborating with private companies to fund, design, build, and maintain public facilities, such as schools.

In 1998, the Halifax Regional School Board, Chignecto Central Regional School Board, and the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP) partnered with Scotia Learning Centres, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Armco, to build 13 schools. This partnership was a success, and over the next 18 months, Scotia Learning Centres completed the construction of all 13 schools, providing a total of 919,207 square feet of learning space.

This initiative proved to be a significant success for Nova Scotia, as it allowed for the construction of modern, high-quality schools that met the needs of students, teachers, and communities across the province. The P-3 formula also enabled the government to leverage private sector expertise, technology, and financing to deliver these facilities in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Building on this success, in June 2004, the portfolio of schools was expanded with the acquisition of the Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This state-of-the-art facility, which covers 166,000 square feet and was constructed in 1999, is home to over 1,000 students and teachers. The addition of this school further demonstrated the benefits of the P-3 approach in delivering high-quality educational facilities that meet the needs of students and communities.