
As Ontario navigates rapid economic shifts and challenges, our 2025 pre-budget report, Building Tomorrow’s Industries Means Building Talent Today, highlights how Ontario’s universities are driving economic growth for the province. By cultivating a highly skilled workforce and collaborating with key industries across regions, universities are strengthening the province’s talent pipeline and positioning Ontario for future success.
For universities to successfully continue educating the next generation of leaders, critical investments from the government are not just a recommendation but a necessity. Ontario’s universities call on the provincial government to:
- Boost base operating grants to meet the recommendations set by the Blue-Ribbon Panel;
- Fully fund enrolment expansion and current unfunded domestic students to reflect changing demographics and increased demand from Ontario high school students; and
- Boost operating grants for Northern and bilingual programming to reflect the higher costs and special needs of delivering these programs.
Without immediate action, more universities – and the students and communities they support are at risk.