The Education Act allows school boards to endorse the Education Development Charges (EDCs) bylaw with respect to land undergoing residential and non-residential developments in their jurisdiction (Ottawa). Revenue collected is used for the purchase of education land as well as site preparation. The purchase of education land serves to accommodate students resulting from new residential development, that cannot be placed in existing schools.
The City of Ottawa is responsible for the collection of the EDC on behalf of local school boards at building permit issuance for new residential and non-residential developments, to finance the purchase of growth-related land needs.