Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector’s Long-Term Success and Sustainability

February 12, 2026

Today, Minister Quinn and Minister Bethlenfalvy announced our government is taking decisive action to protect postsecondary students’ access to the education they need to launch successful careers, build long-term sustainability in the postsecondary sector and support the world-class research being conducted at Ontario universities and colleges, while ensuring education remains accessible for future generations. These actions come in response to the unprecedented pressures Ontario’s postsecondary sector is facing, including as a result of changes made by the federal government.

Ontario’s plan to build a stronger postsecondary sector is based on three principles:

Preparing students for rewarding, in-demand careers that meet labour market needs
Preserving Ontario students’ ability to access high-quality postsecondary education, while supporting their ability to appropriately invest in their education and success
Providing Ontario’s postsecondary sector long-term sustainability, while continuing to ensure funding for the sector is being used to further Ontario’s position as a centre for world-class research excellence while meeting student and labour market needs

To ensure the province’s world‑class institutions continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come, the Ontario government is investing 6.4 billion in additional funding for the sector achieved through in the new funding model includes:

$1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats in priority programs such as STEM, health, teacher education and trades.
$3.3 billion to better fund high-cost priority programs through new program weights.
$1.1 billion to increase base per-student funding across the board permanently by 6 per cent for every full-time Ontario student, and 30 per cent for every part-time college student

$284 million to address the unique needs of small, rural, northern, and French-language institutions
$57 million over 3 years for new seats in priority programs and to maintain stability at Indigenous Institutes.