Ontario boosts college and university funding by more than $1.2B, extends freeze on tuition fees

Organizations that represent Ontario colleges and universities, a prominent higher education expert, and the Opposition NDP all said the new funding isn't enough to solve the sector's long-term funding problems.Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop announced more than $1.2 billion in new funding for post-secondary schools. The government is also extending a cap on tuition fees for in-province students for the next three years.

Dunlop also introduced a new bill that would require colleges and universities to have policies in place to address mental health and wellness, to combat racism and discrimination on campuses, and to increase transparency around fees."This is a broad range of measures that will offer much-needed stability to the post-secondary sector, and help keep costs down for students and their families," Dunlop said at a press conference.

The funding top-up comes after the government-commissioned report said that funding for publicly assisted colleges for full-time domestic students is at a lower level than every other province, while the Council of Ontario Universities has said at least 10 universities are facing operating deficits. But the federal government announced earlier this year that the number of visas for international undergraduate students will be slashed, with Ontario seeing its allotment cut in half. That has led to post-secondary institutions recently saying their situation has grown even more dire.

"While the investment announced today is a welcome first step, we expect further action from the province," said Marketa Evans, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario in a statement.

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

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