Story by Brock Ormond
Some relief is reported to be coming for Ontario post-secondary school students and institutions.
The Canadian Press, among other national outlets, is reporting the provincial government is giving colleges and universities billions in new funding, while lifting a seven-year tuition fee freeze and cutting back on student assistance grants.
Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced $6.4 billion in additional money over four years to increase per-student funding and add 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs.
Starting in September, post-secondary school institutions can increase their tuition fees by two per cent per year for three years, before switching to an inflation-informed increase or a further two per cent annually, whichever is lower.
The government is also decreasing the proportion of grants offered through the Ontario Student Assistance Program, relying much more heavily on loans.
The moves come as Ontario’s post-secondary institutions face financial crisis, following years of low government spending, stagnant domestic tuition levels and sharply reduced numbers of international students who pay higher tuition fees.
“I am very pleased to see this historic increase in support for our colleges and universities. Investing in high-quality, career-focused education that is accessible close to home will continue to drive innovation, growth, and prosperity across Ontario,” stated Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp.
“This investment in sustainability for the sector means that institutions like Loyalist College will be able to train the workforce of the future, for generations to come.”
Opposition parties, however, are calling for greater responsibility in addressing the crisis in post-secondary education by committing to innovation and entrepreneurship following years of low levels of government funding and sharply reduced numbers of international students.
Liberal MPP for Ajax Rob Cerjanec stated it was a ‘half-hearted fix’ that falls far short of what’s needed and it will cause more debt for students and less financial stability after graduation in a tough economy, especially for lower income students.
He also stated the province needs to commit to reinstating in-demand programs in rural and urban communities, such as the hospitality programs at Loyalist and St. Lawrence Colleges.
“With this new framework, the provincial government needs to stop blaming the federal government and start taking ownership of the post-secondary system it is responsible for,” Cerjanec stated in a media release.
(With files from The Canadian Press)
