New funding announcement welcome, but still leaves Ontario at the bottom of the heap, increases student debt

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Article contentTORONTO, ON, Feb. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The recent funding announcement from the provincial government is a welcome injection of needed funding to the post-secondary sector, but shifts much financial burden to students, says the Ontario Universities and Colleges Coalition (OUCC). Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe announcement from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) to the Ontario post-secondary sector is significant. While this represents progress following years of sustained advocacy across the sector, it does not close Ontario’s longstanding funding gap. Even after this increase, Ontario will continue to rank last in per-student funding for colleges and universities, remaining well below the national average. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentUnfortunately, the province’s announcement shifts more of the financial burden to students. Shifting student aid from a model of up to 85 percent grants and 15 percent loans to one of 25 percent grants and 75 percent loans will significantly increase student debt burdens and transfer more of the cost of higher education onto students and their families. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThis policy choice will leave graduates carrying higher levels of debt, constraining their ability to participate fully in the economy at a time when Ontario depends on highly educated workers to drive productivity, innovation, and long-term economic growth. Article contentThe OUCC calls on the government to commit to a long-term funding plan that brings Ontario to at least the Canadian average per-student funding while protecting students from escalating debt. Article contentRob Kristofferson, President, OCUFASamia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director, UniforCyrielle Ngeleka, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario Martha Hradowy, President, OSSTF/FEESOJP Hornick, President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)Fred Hahn, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe Ontario Universities and Colleges Coalition (OUCC) represents over 435,000 faculty, staff, and students from every public postsecondary institution in Ontario. It includes members of the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario (CFS-O), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Unifor, and United Steelworkers (USW). Article content–30– Article contentFor more information or to arrange an interview, contact: media@ocufa.on.ca Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentOntario Confederation of University Faculty Associations media@ocufa.on.ca Article contentTrending Subscriber only. 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Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Subscriber only. Donald Trump plans to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminium goods Subscriber only Financial Times As U.S. companies return to Venezuela's oilfields — one Canadian driller has a head start Oil & Gas CRA charged taxpayer instalment interest before he received all his GIC income Taxes Ontario issues first permit that opens up old mine tailings for exploration Mining This TSX top gainer's 25% leap prompts TD analyst to predict 'upward financial revisions' this year Investor