Budgetary relief might be coming Queen’s way from the Ontario government.
On Feb. 6 Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop announced the province is allocating nearly $1.3 billion to post-secondary institutions over the next three years. Ontario won’t lift the tuition freeze for in-province students.
The investment includes $903 million to a Post-Secondary Education Sustainability Fund which will be distributed to institutions based on financial need.
“The fund is intended to all institutions with additional targeted s to institutions with greater financial need. At this time, we are working with institutions to discuss their specific allocations,” a spokesperson for Minister Dunlop told The Journal in a statement.
The Minister’s office didn’t comment on how they will evaluate financial need or if Queen’s is a priority, having one of the largest deficits of any university in Ontario.
Dunlop’s office is allocating an additional $167 million for capital repairs, $10 million for universities in rural or northern Ontario, $15 million to third-party reviews on structural cost savings for universities, $100 million for STEM programs, $65 million for research and innovation, and $23 million for mental health s.
Ontario is continuing its tuition freeze for in-province students for another three years and capping increases for out-of-province tuition at five per cent.
“It’s never been more important to keep costs down for students and parents,” Dunlop said in a press release. “Instead of burdening hard-working families with higher tuition, we’re making historic investments to stabilize colleges and universities.”
The Ford government will motion to the Strengthening ability and Student s Act in 2024, which will, if ed, require universities and colleges to disclose information on ancillary fees and other student costs, including textbooks. The Act will also require universities and colleges to have mental health policies in place and policies pushing back against racism and other forms of hatred on campuses.
“We’re ing student mental health, fostering safer campuses, and preparing students for rewarding careers,” Dunlop added.
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