Colleges in Ontario call for increase in tuition fees

Colleges in Ontario are calling for immediate investments from the province, as well as a five per cent tuition increase. 

Today (Nov. 20), Colleges Ontario, an advocacy association for Ontario’s 24 colleges, called for an end to the province’s tuition freeze and more investment in the post-secondary institutions. 

“Students throughout Ontario must continue to have access to high-quality programs,” said Marketa Evans, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, in a statement. 

“These investments in student success will help ensure Ontario’s future workforce has the expertise to succeed in a rapidly evolving labour market.”

Public college tuition was cut in 2019 and has been frozen ever since. According to a news release, Ontario’s public colleges boast the second-lowest tuition fees in Canada, with students paying an average of $2,700 per year for a full-time program. 

In a news release, Ontario Colleges said the schools will be a “critical source of talent in the years ahead,” adding that graduates will be eligible to work in manufacturing, the electric vehicle industry, mining, health care, nuclear energy and construction. 

The organization calls for increased tuition rates and a 10 per cent increase in operating grants for September 2024. It’s also asking for a distinct tuition policy for public colleges that “addresses the long-standing inequities between college and university education,” more spaces for students in high-demand programs and more opportunities for students who wish to study part-time.

“Measures to promote the financial stability of Ontario’s public colleges must ensure college programs remain affordable and accessible to all students, regardless of where they live,” the news release reads.

“This is particularly important at Ontario’s strong and independent francophone and northern colleges.” 

In a statement, Evans said investment is crucial. 

“Investing in public college students is key to Ontario’s economic future,” Evans said. “To strengthen our economy and help more people find rewarding careers, we must get this right.”