TORONTO, December 1, 2023 – “Ontario’s universities are demonstrating their unwavering commitment to efficiency as highlighted in the sector’s efficiency update, Driving Greater Efficiencies to Deliver on Student Success and Economic Growth.
With a long history of finding cost savings and doing more with less, this framework is a testament of the sector’s long-standing commitment to enhancing their efficiencies in order to ensure students have a high-quality education, while demonstrating strong stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
In response to the government’s call for greater efficiencies before moving forward with the implementation of the Blue-Ribbon Panel’s recommendations, Ontario’s universities are pleased to share a comprehensive efficiency update, which includes a framework that is building on results as acknowledged by the Blue-Ribbon Panel in its report. This framework not only showcases the existing efficiencies within the sector, but also presents a roadmap for further enhancements.
Efficiencies Framework Highlights:
Ontario’s universities are finding new and innovative ways to drive greater efficiencies, streamline and automate processes and find cost savings in order to better support students through:
- Continuous Improvement through Ongoing Institutional Efficiency Effort
- Implementing the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Financial Metrics Framework and Action Plans
- Building on the Blue-Ribbon Panel’s and Auditor General’s Recommendations
- Driving Sector-Wide Collaborative Initiatives
This framework highlights the sector’s steadfast commitment to streamlined processes and enhanced productivity. We will continue to work with government to showcase how universities have and will continue to find new and innovative ways to be efficient.
However, now that the Panel has produced its blueprint for financial sustainability, Ontario’s universities continue to urgently call on the province to immediately end the tuition freeze and increase operating funds to ensure students can continue to count on the programs and services they rely on and deserve.
Without an immediate end to the tuition freeze and additional government funding, these programs and services are at risk.
The Panel, comprised of industry experts and stakeholders, examined the challenges and opportunities within the postsecondary sector. Their comprehensive report, released November 15, outlines key recommendations to achieving financial health for the sector, such as:
- Implementing a three-year tuition fee framework in the Fall of 2024, starting with a 5% tuition increase for general programs; and
- Immediately boosting operating grants by 10% and index over time.
If implemented immediately, these recommendations will help move Ontario’s universities towards financial sustainability that will benefit students and economic growth in communities throughout Ontario.
The work of the Panel comes at a critical juncture for postsecondary education in Ontario. A 10% tuition cut in 2019 plus a four-year tuition freeze, declining operating grants and higher inflation have created a perfect storm that has placed enormous financial pressure on Ontario’s universities and putting student services at risk.
The situation is becoming increasingly untenable, as universities can no longer continue to absorb cuts and freezes amidst rising inflation and costs, and many are facing deficits, with the growing risk of insolvencies.
Universities play a critical role in graduating job-ready students, developing the highly skilled talent that the economy needs and innovating to boost economic growth and prosperity. By working together, the combined efforts of the government and the sector will lead to stronger, financially sustainable universities that contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation and student success.
The time for government action and investment in Ontario’s universities – and Ontario’s future – is now.”
– Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities