Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Randall Denley: Ontario finally gets serious about making universities and colleges work for the province

The new approach makes universities and colleges more serious about what programs serve the market while making students pay for the benefit

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

The Ontario government’s new commitment of $6.4 billion over four years to help its financially beleaguered colleges and universities is certainly an improvement over its previous policy of starving the sector for money and hoping it would all work out in the end.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

That was the simplistic approach taken by the Doug Ford government in 2018, when it cut tuition fees by 10 per cent, then froze them. That left universities unable to recoup rising costs. The government responded with small, temporary amounts of money.

Randall Denley: Ontario finally gets serious about making universities and colleges work for the province Back to video

Now, in 2026, the Ford government is finally taking the advice of its own 2023 blue-ribbon panel on post-secondary financial sustainability by increasing operating grants and tuition fees. Better late than never, the new Ontario plan is a smart piece........

© National Post