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Colleges Ontario is committed to raising the profile of colleges and of the issues in higher education and training.
More than 24,500 Ontarians urge McGuinty government to fund colleges now
(TORONTO, May 6, 2005) – More than 24,500 people have cast their votes online for improved funding for Ontario colleges in the upcoming 2005 Budget, the province’s college presidents announced today.
“The response has been tremendous. People throughout Ontario have signed the online petition because they recognize the value of a college education in today’s economy,” said Rick Miner, Chair of the Committee of Presidents of the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario (ACAATO). “People are also writing personal letters to the government, urging the province to fund the skills and training of Ontario’s workforce.”
The Internet petition was part of a campaign, Fund Colleges Now, which included bus-shelter ads, newspaper advertisements and a variety of events at Ontario’s 24 colleges. The complete list of 24,500 names has been presented to Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario government.
The Ontario government has also received 22,000 names from a concurrent paper petition run by the College Student Alliance, which also called for improved funding for college education.
Currently, Ontario is ranked 10th of the 10 provinces in Canada in per-student revenue to colleges. Former premier Bob Rae, in his comprehensive report on postsecondary education, said Ontario colleges need an additional $400 million by 2007-08.
To meet that target, Miner said there must be a significant funding increase in the 2005 Ontario Budget. Colleges must invest in new faculty and staff, new resources and lab equipment and new industry-standard technology in order to produce greater numbers of well-trained graduates for today’s high-tech economy.
“About 80 per cent of all new jobs require a postsecondary education, yet only 52 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds in Ontario currently have that level of education,” said Miner. “The gap between the supply and demand of skilled workers is widening and must be addressed.
“The McGuinty government says it is committed to postsecondary education,” Miner said. “Now, it’s time for the government to back that commitment with a meaningful investment into Ontario’s colleges and the success of Ontario’s college students.”
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For more information:
Rob Savage
ACAATO Communications
(416) 596-0744, ext. 239