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Plans and Annual Reports
Table of Contents
Part 1: Published Results-based Plan 2011-12
Appendix
Previous Plans and Annual Reports
ISSN # 1718–7109
Ministry Overview
Vision
Ontario will have the most educated people and highly skilled workforce in the world to build the province's competitive advantage and quality of life.
Mandate
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (TCU) directs and shapes Ontario's postsecondary education, employment and training systems. It provides operating and capital funding to publicly funded colleges and universities, establishes provincial objectives for the use of public funds and designs frameworks for achieving these objectives.
The ministry ensures that high quality postsecondary education is accessible to all qualified candidates through tuition regulation, capital investments, student assistance, targeted funding and accountability mechanisms.
In the area of employment and training, the ministry develops policy directions for adult education and labour market training, sets standards for occupational training such as trade certification and apprenticeships, manages provincial services and programs for employment training and preparation including adult literacy and basic skills, and undertakes labour market research and planning.
MINISTRY STRATEGIES
Ontario's competitive advantage is its people. The province is at its best when people have opportunities and tools to reach their full potential.
In today's global economy, education and skills are essential to individual success and are the cornerstones for the future growth and prosperity of the province.
By 2020, it is expected that 70 per cent of all new jobs – including entry level jobs – will need some form of postsecondary education or skills training.
A skilled, knowledgeable workforce attracts the jobs and investment that lead to a strong province and high quality of life. It also leads to other benefits such as lower poverty rates, improved health outcomes and contribution to GDP.
That's why the government continues to invest in our postsecondary education system.
Ontario's $6.2 billion Reaching Higher Plan achieved great results and improved our postsecondary system. Some of the results from the plan included more students attending colleges, universities and learning a trade, more graduate spaces in areas that matter to the economy and an increased postsecondary attainment rate.
The Open Ontario plan is building on the successes of the past and has already begun to show results. The 2010-11 $8.1 billion investment has made a difference. Results include:
- Nearly 200,000 more students attending colleges, universities and learning a trade since 2002-03;
- Improvements to OSAP grants and loans to assist more families with postsecondary education costs – about 210,000 Ontarians benefited in 2010-11;
- The attainment rate increasing from 56 per cent in 2002-03 to 63 per cent – which is well on the way to our target of 70 per cent;
- The graduation rate has increased to 79 per cent in 2009-10 from 73 per cent since 2002-03 for university students and to 64 per cent from 57 per cent for college students;
- An awareness campaign, Turn Your Passion into a Career, to encourage potential students to consider and pursue postsecondary education and to help them learn about financial aid options; and
- A new website with more interactive tools, updated information and better navigation.
In response to the global recession, the government boosted the Employment Ontario budget for jobs and skills training to approximately $1.6 billion in each of 2009-10 and 2010-11. These investments have special focus on services to help workers affected by the economic recession. Here are some of the achievements:
- Employment Ontario serves more than one million Ontarians each year including:
- Employers who can use the network to find workers with the skills they need;
- Laid-off workers who benefit from skills training and other employment and career planning services; and
- Workers, apprentices, newcomers and youth who benefit from access to life-long learning.
- On August 1, 2010, the new Employment Service, a one-stop service delivery model to better meet the needs of job seekers, employers and Ontario communities – was launched. The program is being delivered through a network of 171 service providers with 435 service delivery sites across Ontario;
- In 2010-11, the Summer Jobs programs helped more than 130,000 young people with support for summer employment opportunities;
- Second Career has helped more than 42,000 Ontarians participate in training since June 2008 (as of March 31, 2011);
- In Ontario, there are more than 120,000 apprentices learning a trade today – which is nearly 60,000 more than in 2002-03; and
- New annual apprenticeship registrations have grown to more than 28,000 in 2009-10 from 17,100 in 2002-03.
Over the coming year, we will continue to invest in postsecondary education and build on our successes. Through the Open Ontario plan, the government will support new jobs by investing in colleges, universities, skills training and jobs programs.
The government will continue to support postsecondary education, taking action that will increase Ontario's postsecondary attainment rate to 70 per cent. It also will continue to ensure that there is a college or university space for every qualified Ontario student.
To reach its goals, Ontario will modernize the delivery of postsecondary education and improve the student experience. To improve access to colleges and universities, the government will continue to strengthen student aid.
The government will also continue to promote Ontario postsecondary institutions abroad to increase international enrolment by 50 per cent over five years, while guaranteeing spaces for qualified Ontario students.
Ontario will continue to help unemployed workers and those who need to upgrade their skills, learn a new trade or gain apprenticeship or literacy skills.
To support adult learners, the government will begin to implement the Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework. In addition, it will continue to support the delivery of Employment Services across the province.
As part of the ongoing commitment to accountability and efficiency, the government will continue to monitor the success of Second Career and has introduced the Employment Ontario Information Service system to help support integrated service delivery.
Ministry Priorities – Postsecondary Education
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will support the government's goal of strengthening Ontario's postsecondary education and training by working with its partners to carry out the following core priorities:
- Transform the postsecondary education system to meet the needs of the innovation economy;
- Increase Ontario's skilled and knowledgeable workforce by expanding access and opportunity for education and training; and
- Foster a culture of training and continuous learning.
Transforming the Postsecondary Education System
Good jobs in the 21st century require a good education. In the coming years, with an estimated 70 per cent of Ontario jobs requiring postsecondary education, there will be a strong demand for university and college graduates and skilled trades workers.
The aging population, global competition for skilled workers and a dramatic shift in workplace technology is resulting in a heightened demand for workers with specialized skills and knowledge.
To meet this challenge, the Ontario government is focusing on building the best postsecondary education system in the world, with a range of high quality training and learning options.
The 2011 Budget, Turning the Corner to a Better Tomorrow, announced more than $64 million in 2011-12, growing to $309 million in 2013-14, in additional operating grants to colleges and universities. This will support more than 60,000 additional students by 2015-16. With this funding, the government's strong record of fully funding postsecondary enrolment growth will continue.
To help increase postsecondary attainment rates, Ontario will help students make informed choices before, during and after postsecondary education.
The government will continue to support more active learning (such as internships and co-op programs) to better prepare students for the workforce and provide them with a variety of relevant experience.
Ministry Priorities
- Raise Ontario's postsecondary attainment rate to 70 per cent
- Ensure a college or university space is available for every qualified student
- Increase quality and modernize the delivery of postsecondary education
- Further improve transition rates from high school to postsecondary education
- Improve access to postsecondary education through a new credit transfer system
- Create the Ontario Online Institute, bringing the best professors from Ontario's postsecondary institutions into the homes of those who want to pursue higher learning
- Increase international enrolment by 50 per cent while maintaining spaces for Ontario students
Increasing Ontario's Skilled Workforce
Ontario has an important untapped pool of human resource potential. Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, low-income and at-risk youth are all underrepresented in postsecondary institutions, workplace training and skills, and
the labour market itself. These Ontarians face unique challenges and a core priority is to ensure they have access to the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
The implementation of the College of Trades – an industry driven governing body for the province's apprenticeship and skilled trades system – continues, with a plan to be fully operational by July 2012. The college will continue to work on completing the governance structures and developing regulations that will consider the needs of employers, employees, apprentices, the economy and the public.
Ministry Priorities
- Increased funding for summer jobs for youth
- Increased funding for literacy programs
- Continued implementation of Employment Ontario transformation
- Ongoing implementation of the new Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework
- Continued delivery of skills training and employment programs
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MINISTRY CONTRIBUTION TO PRIORITIES AND RESULTS
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2011-12 PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Open Ontario
- Has a goal of raising Ontario's postsecondary attainment rate to 70 per cent by 2020 as well as to expand the number of international students by
50 per cent within five years while maintaining spaces for Ontario students.
- Increase enrolment by more than 60,000 additional students by 2015-16.
- 15,000 additional graduate student spaces by 2011-12 compared to 2002-03.
Employment Ontario
- 70 per cent of Literacy and Basic Skills program clients will obtain employment or go on to further education or training compared to 55 per cent in 2001–02.
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Ministry Organization Chart
Ministry Organization Chart (PDF, 184 KB)
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LEGISLATION
Acts
Algoma University Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c.13
Establishes university with special mission to be teaching oriented and to cultivate cross cultural learning between aboriginal and other communities.� Full degree granting authority to come into effect on dates determined by proclamation.
Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.22,
Establishes framework for apprenticeship training programs in non construction industry trades and certification of apprentices and journeypersons. (To be repealed on a date named by proclamation.)
Part VII of the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, R.S.O. 1990. c.C 15,
[Note:�Remainder of Act repealed October 8, 2008]
Part VII sets out composition and duties of College Relations Commission.
Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c.15
Establishes provincial collective bargaining regime for full and part-time academic and support staff at colleges of applied arts and technology.
Higher Education Quality Council Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.28, Sched G
Establishes advisory council to advise Minister on improving quality in postsecondary education sector.
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.19,
Establishes Ministry and Minister's general authority and oversight role, and gives authority for student and medical resident loans and grants.
Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. F,
Sets out legislative scheme governing colleges of applied arts of technology, including their mandate and objects and
status as Crown agencies and the Minister's authority to issue directives and intervene in their affairs in specified circumstances.
Ontario College of� Art & Design University Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. E,
Establishes institution and authorizes it to grant Bachelor and Masters degrees of Fine Arts and of Design and Masters of Arts.
Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009, S.O. 2009, Chapter 22
Establishes the Ontario College of Trades to regulate the practice of trades and govern members of the Collegecertain employers.. (Sections 1, 9, 12, 25, 62, 63, 72-76, 78-81, 88, 92-93, and 95 in force. Remainder of Act in force on proclamation, expected July 2012.)
Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009, S.O. 2009, c.24
�Establishes Labour Mobility Code for regulatory authorities with respect to the certification and licensing of persons certified in occupations and trades in other Canadian provinces and territories.
Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 36,
Prohibits persons offering degrees or holding themselves out as universities without the authority of an Act of the Legislature or the consent of the Minister.�Also establishes Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board to advise Minister on applications for consent.
Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28, Schedule L
Comprehensive consumer protection legislation requiring the registration of private institutions offering vocational programs and governing
the conditions of registration.
Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.T.17, as amended
Establishes framework for apprenticeship training programs in construction industry and certification of apprentices and journeypersons. (To be repealed on a date named by proclamation)
University Expropriation Powers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.3,
Identifies universities which may expropriate property and provides that expropriations conducted in accordance with Expropriations Act.
University Foundations Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c.22,
Establishes foundations for certain named universities. Each foundation is a Crown agency and the members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in
Council.
University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. O,
Establishes institution and grants general degree granting authority.
Note:
1. The list does not include unconsolidated university Acts and private Acts, including a number relating to universities which receive public assistance through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; nor does it include Acts that are purely amending Acts.
�March 2011
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AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (ABCs)
Name |
Description |
2011-12 Expenditure Estimates |
2011-12 Revenue Estimates |
2010-11 Expenditure Interim Actuals |
2010-11 Revenue Interim Actuals |
2009-10 Expenditure Actuals |
2009-10 Revenue Actuals |
| The College Compensation and Appointments Council |
As per the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, 2008, the responsibility for college collective bargaining has been transitioned to
the College Employer Council, a non-government, non-profit organization, which was proclaimed on April 1, 2010.�Regulatory amendments had been made by the Lieutenant Governor to transition the Council's remaining responsibility for external college board appointments effective October 1, 2010 to 2/3 of board appointments made directly by Colleges; 1/3 by Order-in-Council.�The responsibility for appointment of 1/3 of external college board members now rests with the ministry. The CCAC was wound down effective October 1, 2010. |
N/A |
N/A |
179,418 |
N/A |
657,495 |
N/A |
| Higher Education Quality Council (HEQCO) |
The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) was established through legislation with the passing of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005.�The council's mandate is to assist the Minister in improving all aspects of postsecondary education, with a particular focus on:
Improving the quality of education��provided in the sector;
Increasing access to postsecondary education; and
Enhancing the accountability of postsecondary educational institutions.
Designated as an operational service agency, HEQCO's specific functions are outlined in the Act and a Memorandum of Understanding. These include:
Developing and making recommendations to the Minister on targets to be achieved and performance measures to be used to evaluate the postsecondary education sector;
Evaluating the postsecondary education sector, reporting to the Minister and making results public; and
Conducting research on all aspects of postsecondary education including the development and design of various models and encouraging collaboration among institutions. |
5,000,000 |
N/A |
4,844,500 |
N/A |
5,000,000 |
N/A |
| College of Trades Appointments Council |
The Ontario College of Trades Appointments Council was established through legislation with the passing of the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009. The Appointments Council is an operational service agency whose legislated mandate is to make appointments to the governance structure of the Ontario College of Trades.
The Ontario College of Trades, as a regulatory college will:
Modernize the province's apprenticeship and skilled trades system;
Encourage more people to work in the trades and help the system better serve employers, skilled tradespeople, apprentices and consumers; and
Set training and certification standards to serve the skilled trades sector and the public interest. |
517,000 |
N/A |
100,000 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Financial Eligibility Advisory Committee (FEAC) |
The Ontario Student Assistance Program Financial Eligibility Advisory Committee (FEAC) considers requests for reconsideration from OSAP applicants and makes recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on their eligibility for financial aid from the Ontario Student Assistance Program. |
23,160 |
N/A |
7,291 |
N/A |
9,724 |
N/A |
| Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board |
The Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board makes recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on applications for the Minister's consent to offer degree programs and/or use the term "university" from new and existing private Ontario degree–granting institutions, out–of–province institutions, Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and all others not authorized to award degrees by an Ontario statute. |
799,900 |
50,000 |
706,205 |
90,000 |
616,737 |
105,000 |
| Provincial Advisory Committees (and Industry Committees) on Skilled Trades |
Provincial Advisory Committees (PACs) and Industry Committees (ICs) provide advice to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities in matters relating to the establishment and operation of apprentice training programs and trade qualifications.�The advice of industry experts through PACs and ICs supports the ministry's vision and the Employment Ontario promise to provide effective, relevant skills training when and where they are needed.
The PAC and IC expenses are covered through the ministry's ODOE budget.�Effective April 1, 2011, the responsibility for PACs and ICs will be transferred to the College of Trades. |
150,000 for ODOE within Service Delivery Branch of MTCU to support the continuation of PAC–IC committee activities by the College of Trades for a period of 6 months starting April 1, 2011 |
N/A |
193,156 |
N/A |
275,058 |
N/A |
| Selection Board (Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program) |
The Selection Board (Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program) provides advice and recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities concerning the policies and administration of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program and selects successful candidates for funding under the program. |
9,000 |
N/A |
5,349 |
N/A |
5,417 |
N/A |
| Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF) |
Advisory Board, established in 2006, provides advice to the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges (PCC) on the administration of TCAF, including financial administration of the fund; criteria for assessing financial viability of private career colleges; general guidelines for responding to PCC closures; and responses to specific PCC closures.
*TCAF is a Special Purpose Account (SPA), authorized by the Ministry of Finance within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (liability account) and represents money received or collected by Ontario for a special purpose.�TCAF funding and expenditures are not part of the ministry's allocation and expenditure reporting. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
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Ministry Financial Information
Ministry Planned Expenditures ($M) 2011-12
Operating |
6,749.96 |
Capital |
385.71 |
TOTAL |
7,135.67 |
Note: Total amount includes statutory appropriations and consolidations. Operating and Capital Assets are not included.
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Operating and Capital Summary by Vote
OPERATING AND CAPITAL SUMMARY BY VOTE
| Votes/Programs |
Estimates 2011-12
$ |
Change from Estimates 2010-11
$ |
% |
Estimates 2010-11*
$ |
Interim Actuals 2010-11*
$ |
Actuals 2009-10*
$ |
| Operating and Capital Expenses |
| Ministry Administration |
18,170,400 |
215,000 |
1.2% |
17,955,400 |
18,572,700 |
16,436,361 |
| Postsecondary Education |
5,965,680,400 |
(940,801,900) |
-13.6% |
6,906,482,300 |
6,730,664,700 |
5,829,558,572 |
| Employment Ontario |
1,184,983,100 |
(465,287,000) |
-28.2% |
1,650,270,100 |
1,416,759,700 |
1,546,968,182 |
| Strategic Policy and Programs |
22,427,400 |
3,857,500 |
20.8% |
18,569,900 |
17,689,100 |
16,670,561 |
| Less: Special Warrants |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
| Total Operating and Capital Expense to be Voted |
7,191,261,300 |
(1,402,016,400) |
-16.3% |
8,593,277,700 |
8,183,686,200 |
7,409,633,676 |
| Special Warrants |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
| Statutory Appropriations |
30,841,014 |
2,671,000 |
9.5% |
28,170,014 |
30,920,214 |
39,040,578 |
| Ministry Total Operating and Capital Expense |
7,222,102,314 |
(1,399,345,400) |
-16.2% |
8,621,447,714 |
8,214,606,414 |
7,448,674,254 |
| Consolidation and Other Adjustments |
(86,430,000) |
430,163,300 |
-83.3% |
(516,593,300) |
(572,302,900) |
(410,925,733) |
| Total including Consolidation and Other Adjustments |
7,135,672,314 |
(969,182,100) |
-12.0% |
8,104,854,414 |
7,642,303,514 |
7,037,748,521 |
| OPERATING AND CAPITAL ASSETS |
| Postsecondary Education |
56,301,000 |
(2,500,000) |
-4.3% |
58,801,000 |
- |
59,499,108 |
| Employment Ontario |
13,150,000 |
(15,785,000) |
-54.6% |
28,935,000 |
- |
17,142,039 |
| Less: Special Warrants |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
| Total Operating and Capital Assets to be Voted |
69,451,000 |
(18,285,000) |
-20.8% |
87,736,000 |
- |
76,641,147 |
| Special Warrants |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
| Statutory Appropriations |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
| Total Assets |
69,451,000 |
(18,285,000) |
-20.8% |
87,736,000 |
- |
76,641,147 |
*Estimates for the previous fiscal year are re–stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2011 Ontario Budget.
Note: Commencing in 2009-10, the Province's minor Tangible Capital Assets (mTCA) are capitalized on a prospective basis. Direct comparison between the 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10, and 2008–09 may not be meaningful.
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Appendix
2010-11 Annual Report
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities supports the government's commitment to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Ontario's labour force so that the province will remain competitive in the global knowledge–based economy.
In the past year, the ministry contributed to this commitment through two key initiatives: Open Ontario and Employment Ontario.
Key Initiatives and Results
Our goal is to have the most educated people and highly skilled workforce in the world in order to build the province's competitive advantage.
Turning Passions into Careers
An advertising campaign (Turn Your Passion into a Career through studies at college or university), that ran primarily in January and February, promoted postsecondary education and the generous financial support available to potential students in Ontario. The campaign included television, cinema, in–transit, online and print ads.
This fresh and original campaign drove students and their families to the new and simplified website that highlights how they can access affordable postsecondary education and training.
Employment and Training
Over the past two years the government has provided additional funding for Second Career, apprenticeship programs, literacy and basic skills training, summer jobs and northern initiatives.
Second Career
- A recent survey shows 74 percent of Second Career students found jobs within an average of less than one year after graduation.
- Since June 2008, Second Career has helped more than 42,000 Ontarians participate in training.
Employment Ontario
- Employment Ontario has created a new one–stop service where people can find a full range of employment and training programs to help them find and keep a job.
- The new Employment Service was launched on August 1, 2010. The program is being delivered through a network of 171 service providers with 435 service delivery sites across Ontario.�
- In the 2010 Ontario Budget, the government announced an additional $39 million in 2010-11 in its Summer Jobs programs, including targeted resources for youth in high–needs neighbourhoods. The programs supported more than 110,000 jobs and services for students in the summer of 2010.
- Employment Ontario currently provides employment and training services to over one million Ontarians each year.
Literacy and Basic Skills
- More than $113 million was invested in the Literacy and Basic Skills program in 2009-10.�
- This investment provides programs through more than 200 agencies at almost 340 sites across the province, including colleges, school boards and community–based organizations.
Apprenticeship and Skilled Trades Training
- In Ontario, there are more than 120,000 apprentices learning a trade today – which is nearly 60,000 more than in 2002-03.�
- New annual apprenticeship registrations have grown from 17,100 in 2002-03 to more than 28,000 in 2009-10.
- As of the end of December 2010, 20,485 apprentices have been registered for 2010-11. This is on track to meet the 28,000 target for 2010-11, which is based on registration trends from previous years.
Postsecondary Education
Greater Access and Affordability
Postsecondary education is affordable and accessible to every qualified Ontarian, thanks to progress made over the last eight years.
More Ontarians Participating
More Ontarians than ever before are getting the opportunity to pursue a college or university education or apprenticeship training.
- 200,000 more students are attending colleges, universities and learning a trade since 2002-03.
- More than 40 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds are attending college or university today – up from 35 per cent in 2002-03.
- The number of graduate students at Ontario universities has increased by 57 per cent since 2002-03.
Better Financial Support for Students
The government is making sure Ontario students have financial support to pursue a college or university education. Through the Student Access Guarantee, the government works with institutions to see that students are not prevented from going to college or university because of a lack of financial assistance.
- About 210,000 students benefited in 2010-11 from improvements made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
- About one third of university or college OSAP recipients or 86,000 students received additional assistance from their institution this year to supplement their OSAP aid under the Student Access Guarantee.
- OSAP applications were available on February 1, 2011, several months ahead of the May release of previous years.�Providing applications earlier in the year will allow students to begin planning earlier and give them more time to collect the required information to submit with their applications.
- Students attending a college or university program part-time may now apply online, making the process faster and easier.�Submitting the on-line form will automatically put forward their application for any OSAP aid program available for qualified part-time students, including a new $500 grant.
- The new interactive app — a first for the Ontario Government — will allow busy students to get up-to-date information and check their loan status on their smart phone.�Students who have applied for OSAP will now know when and how much they can expect to receive from OSAP anywhere, anytime.
- More students are now able to pay back their OSAP loans. The Ontario Student Loan default rate declined to eight per cent in 2009 – the lowest rate since the province began measuring the default rate in 1997, when it was 23.5 per cent.
- One in four of all full-time students in Ontario, or about 143,000 students, received a grant for postsecondary education in 2009-10.
- Starting in 2010-11, the government is indexing the book, supply and equipment allowance to inflation annually to ensure that it reflects the real costs faced by students and their families.
- Students will be able to keep more of the income they earn while in school without it affecting their OSAP funding.
- The Ontario portion of all OSAP loans is now interest free and payment free for the first six months after graduation for all graduates. The government will pay the interest charges during the first six months after graduation, in addition to the current six months of no payments.
- Graduates experiencing financial difficulty are helped to repay their student loans within 15 years (or 10 years for borrowers with permanent disabilities). The graduate makes an affordable payment, based on income and family size, and the amount of the affordable payment never exceeds 20 per cent of family income.
The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant caps annual student debt to $7,300 for a two-term academic year.
- The government is awarding an additional 1,000 students an Ontario Graduate Scholarship starting in 2011-12. This increases the number of Ontario graduate students receiving the award from 2,000 to 3,000.
- Students have access to more financial support for their education. The government is boosting weekly loan maximums to $150 per week for single students. The weekly loan limit for married students and students with children is increasing to $350 per week.
- To help married students, the government is reducing the share of income that students' spouses are required to contribute to their partners' education by 10 per cent. For married students and students with dependent children, the government will also double the OSAP vehicle exemption so that vehicles worth up to $10,000 will not affect the student's OSAP assessment.
Supporting Aboriginal Students
The government is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education for all Aboriginal learners.
- In 2010-11 and 2011-12, Ontario is providing more than $26 million per year for Aboriginal postsecondary education. The funding supports:
- The Aboriginal Student Bursary, which provides financial assistance to Aboriginal learners through Financial Aid Offices in postsecondary institutions;
- College and university programming and support services for Aboriginal learners;
- Funding for Aboriginal postsecondary education institutions to offset the cost of delivering provincially recognized programs and support services for Aboriginal learners; and
- Targeted initiatives for Aboriginal learners and Aboriginal organizations.
- In March 2011, the government launched the Aboriginal Postsecondary Education and Training Policy Framework at the first-ever Aboriginal Postsecondary Education Gathering. The framework is the government's plan for delivering high-quality postsecondary education and training to First Nation, M�tis and Inuit learners in Ontario.
Supporting French-Language Postsecondary Education
In 2010-11, the ministry increased French-language funding to about $84 million for French-language postsecondary education. The funding supports:
- An estimated 20,000 francophone students to attend French-language colleges and bilingual universities, an 11 per cent increase from 2003-04 levels.
- The development of a French-Language Policy Framework for Postsecondary Education and Training that will increase the quality of and the access to French-language postsecondary education and training.
- Improved access to the French-language postsecondary education programs and services including the development of French-language learning resources and the provision of student support services.
Increasing access and opportunities for Ontario's underrepresented groups:
- Ontario established seven new Crown Wards Championship Teams to help at-risk youth graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education, training, and employment. This brings the total to 21 Championship Teams, providing support to all youth with Crown Ward status across Ontario.
- The government is investing $22.8 million over two years to help more than 22,880 first generation students succeed in college and university. The funding supports 39 projects at colleges and universities across Ontario.
- In 2011-12, Ontario will begin exempting the full value of Extended Care and Maintenance (ECM) income from the OSAP assessment of need. Former Crown wards leaving the care of a Children's Aid Society at the age of eighteen may receive ECM funding for up to three years.
A Rewarding Student Experience
- Ontario postsecondary students are satisfied with the quality of their learning experiences at college and university.
- Seventy-nine per cent of university undergraduates rate their educational experience as good to excellent.
- Seventy-eight per cent of undergraduates agree that, given the option to start again, they would choose the same university they are now attending.
- Seventy-six per cent of college students are satisfied with their experience at a public college.
- Seventy-nine per cent of college students are satisfied with the overall quality of their learning experiences in their given program of study.
Higher Graduation Rates
More access to postsecondary opportunities and improvements to students' learning experiences have led to higher rates of student success at colleges and universities.
- Seventy-nine per cent of undergraduate students now graduate from university – up from 73 per cent in 2002-03.
- Sixty-four per cent of students now graduate from college – up from 57 per cent in 2002-03.
Graduates Are Getting Good Jobs Quickly
Students are getting the high-quality education they need to get good jobs and help Ontario compete in the knowledge economy – now and in the future.
- In 2006, 94 per cent of 2005-06 university graduates were employed within six months of graduation.
- In 2008, 96 per cent of 2005-06 university graduates were employed within two years of graduation and 85 per cent were employed in careers related to their program of study.
- In 2010, almost 83 per cent of 2009-10 graduates from public colleges were employed within six months of graduation.
Educating Tomorrow's Doctors and Nurses
Increased support for medical programs is helping Ontario educate more doctors and nurses.
- More students in Ontario can attend medical school – 260 new first year medical school spaces will be created by 2011-12, an almost 38 per cent increase since 2002-03.
- Three new medical education campuses – in Kitchener–Waterloo, St. Catharines and Windsor – are already operating. A fourth new campus is scheduled to open in Mississauga in 2011.
- The number of first-year full-time degree nursing students increased by 28.4 per cent between 2005 and 2009.
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Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M) 2010-11 |
Operating |
6,826.54 |
Capital |
815.76 |
Staff Strength
(as of March 31, 2011) |
1,225 |
Note: Interim Actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2011 Ontario Budget.
*Staff Strength number excludes seasonal staff, students and employees on leave.
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