Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, May 29, 2009) – Ontario’s colleges welcome the federal and Ontario governments’ announcement today of an additional $450 million to improve colleges and universities, said Anne Sado, the chair of Colleges Ontario and president of George Brown College.

“The funding allows college to make improvements in our facilities that will strengthen the quality of education delivered to students,” Sado said. “These infrastructure projects will stimulate immediate job growth while at the same time supporting the education and training of Ontario’s workforce.”

The governments have announced $450 million for improvements that include modernizing facilities and boosting skills-training capacity at postsecondary institutions. The announcement today is in addition to $1 billion for infrastructure projects at colleges and universities that was announced Monday.

The investments leverage more than $2.1 billion over two years, including $780 million in federal funding, $980.9 million in provincial funding, and $356.1 million from other funding sources, including the private sector, charitable contributions and the universities and colleges.

The funding for college projects will help to address the growing demand for college education and training. For example, there was a 10 per cent increase this year in the number of applicants for programs that start in January, nearly double the 5.1 per cent increase in January 2008.

Sado said greater numbers of people are recognizing the value of higher education in today’s economy and want to pursue the career opportunities available through a college education. The government’s investments will help those students to fulfil their ambitions.

“The governments recognize that an educated and skilled workforce is essential to our long-term economic growth,” Sado said. “We applaud the governments for ensuring that higher education is a priority in Ontario and throughout the country.”

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For more information:

Sally Ritchie
Senior Communications Officer
Colleges Ontario
(416) 596-0744, ext. 242