Funding shortfalls need to be an election focus according to Ontario College’s.
Northern College says the provincial college system is facing a funding shortfall of more than $100-million per year. President Fred Gibbons says a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers that came out two years ago, says by the year 2025, the accumulated debt of colleges in Ontario could approach $900-million. Gibbons says college education gives students a real edge in a competitive economy, so it’s important to continue delivering high-quality programs. He says with this debt that won’t happen.
He says colleges are asking the candidates to look at:
- Enhancing the annual operating funding provided to colleges.
- Creating a tuition-fee framework for colleges that is distinct from the tuition framework for
universities. - Developing a targeted funding increase to expand science, technology, engineering, arts and
math (STEAM) programs by 30 per cent over the next four years.
Gibbons says there is one step that has to happen before any suggestions can be made.
He says the next government needs to ensure colleges have the resources to provide students with the personal and technical expertise that lead to great careers.
