$2.8 Million to Train More Community Planners for Northern Ontario
June 12, 2026New Bachelor of Community Planning program at Nipissing University will prepare students to build stronger northern communities.
NORTH BAY — Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing over $2.8 million to launch a new Bachelor of Community Planning program at Nipissing University to train more community planners, with a unique focus on small and mid-sized communities, northern regions, and Indigenous communities. To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making strategic investments to help students prepare for successful careers and good-paying, in-demand jobs that are needed to drive prosperity in communities across the province.
“We know there’s demand for a Bachelor of Community Planning Program here in the North, and we’re pleased that, through collaboration with Nipissing University, the new program will come to fruition in 2027,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “With the expansion of mining in the Northern regions, it’s never been more important to support communities with professional planners who have the skills to shape the future of our towns and cities as the industry continues to grow.”
This new program supported by today’s investment is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in Fall 2027. In addition, the program will receive an investment of nearly $190,000 to fund 60 seats, as part of the government’s larger investment in Budget 2025 to train 7,800 more students for in-demand jobs in construction and planning.
Nipissing’s Bachelor of Community Planning program will also feature an Experiential Learning Centre, which will equip students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge equipment and facilitate student collaboration with industry leaders, community partners, and local government, so students can hit the ground running upon graduation.
Quick Facts
- Nipissing’s new program will be the first planning program in Northern Ontario.
- Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested millions to train up to 7,800 additional students at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes across the province in jobs such as construction and urban planning.
- Last month, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including skilled trades. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring and additional $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
Additional Resources
- Ontario Investing $75 Million to Train More Students for In-Demand Jobs in Construction
- Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Prepare More Students for In-Demand Careers
- Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector’s Long-Term Success and Sustainability | Ontario Newsroom