Additional $2 Million for Canadore College and Nipissing University
April 12, 2022Postsecondary Education in Rural and Northern Communities receive funding from the province
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is providing Canadore College and Nipissing University each with $1 million in additional funding through the Small, Northern and Rural Grant (Colleges) and the Northern Ontario Grant (Universities) to help the institutions maintain a full range of programs and provide students with local competitive choices for postsecondary studies that will prepare them for good jobs.
“Ontario’s additional investment in Canadore College and Nipissing University will help ensure our postsecondary students have high-quality options for their studies,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “From the skilled trades to health human resources, northern institutions are pivotal in offering a broad range of programming to meet the needs of their local labour markets. Helping northern institutions to offer programs that prepare students for good jobs after graduation will help retain talent in these regions and support local business communities.”
“Canadore College remains committed to producing trained people who are ready and able to work in all sectors of the economy. The College continues to have a major economic impact in the region, attracting students to study here and keeping many working here after graduation. All of that continued despite the challenging times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadore College is pleased the Government of Ontario recognizes the unique challenges faced by northern institutions. We welcome the additional funding to maintain our programs and student supports,” said George Burton, President and CEO of Canadore College.
“Nipissing University is an institution of the North that serves the people of the North and beyond. There are special challenges facing Northern institutions, related for example to geography and size, and this specific funding will assist us directly in 2022-23 in addressing these challenges,” said Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University.
“The Ontario government is committed to supporting high-quality postsecondary education in northern Ontario, particularly as our province recovers from the impacts of COVID-19,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Providing this additional funding acknowledges that our northern institutions are essential to building a skilled workforce in the North and play a critical role in providing employment opportunities and contributing to the economic growth of these communities.”
Northern Ontario institutions face unique challenges including geographic location and smaller student populations that make them more financially vulnerable than other institutions across the province. That’s why, building on regular operating grants, Ontario is providing additional special funding to help northern postsecondary institutions continue to deliver viable, relevant and quality programs and services for students.
This additional funding will support the delivery and further development of programs and services and improve access, enrolment, student retention and graduate outcomes for learners in the North. It will also help northern and rural institutions to prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully transition to the workforce and drive local economic growth.
QUICK FACTS
- In 2020-21, Ontario provided $407 million in operating grants to northern institutions, including approximately $186 million to colleges and $221 million to universities.
- In 2020-21, the ministry also provided $77.6 million in ongoing support for northern colleges through the Small, Northern and Rural Grant and $16 million for northern universities through the Northern Ontario Grant.