Today’s confirmation of $6.4 billion in post-secondary education funding in the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario is a game changer for the economic future of Ontario’s economy. It’s a generational investment that marks a significant step forward in strengthening the province's economy by building a dynamic, skilled workforce.
This investment builds on commitments outlined in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario and aligns with priorities identified in Colleges Ontario’s pre-budget submission.
The 2026 budget delivers on these priorities by:
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increased operating funding and updates to the funding model to better support high-demand programs;
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support for enrolment growth, including up to 40,000 additional post-secondary seats over the next three years;
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an additional $45 million for small, rural, northern and francophone institutions; and
Ontario’s college graduates are the boots on the ground, mobilizing key industries across every region of the province. This funding provides stability and strengthens local economies, but it is not the finish line; it is the foundation.
Ontario will need one million college graduates over the next decade to meet demand in key sectors such as the skilled trades, health care, energy, mining and advanced manufacturing. Colleges already supply more than half of the workforce in these areas, underscoring their critical role in powering Ontario’s economy.
Ontario’s colleges continue to support the government’s focus on economic growth, workforce development and resilience, and are focused on student access and success.