Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, March 22, 2007) – Ontario’s college system is pleased with the 2007 provincial budget commitment of $140 million for capital improvements and repairs, said Anne Sado, vice chair of the colleges’ association.

"This funding will help colleges to invest in up-to-date equipment and in improvements to college facilities," said Sado. "The funding announcement is an important investment in the education and training of Ontario's workforce."

The capital dollars flow from federal government investments into postsecondary education. Sado said the Ontario government should be commended for flowing the dollars to the sector and recognizing the importance of college education and training.

Other highlights of the 2007 Ontario Budget include:

• recognition of the important role colleges play in research and development
• new funding for nurses and hospitals (Ontario's colleges provide training for 70 per cent of the health care workforce)
  

Ontario's colleges continue to face operating funding pressures and will work with the Ontario government to ensure the federal funding for colleges announced earlier this week for 2008 is invested wisely.

"College education, training and retraining of the workforce is essential to Ontario's long-term prosperity," Sado said. "College graduates will be central to the success of any provincial and national skills strategies."

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For more information:

Rob Savage
Director of Communications
Colleges Ontario
(416) 596-0744, ext. 239
savage@collegesontario.org