Post-secondary funding win starts new chapter in education fight, says OPSEU/SEFPO: “This is not a stand-down moment, this is a milestone.”

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) — OPSEU/SEFPO joined the bittersweet chorus on yesterday’s announcement from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES), welcoming new funding as a decision overdue by nearly a decade—although conversely it still leaves Ontario in last place.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“Since taking power in 2018, the Ford government has been more than happy to build on the Liberals’ legacy of driving post-secondary education into the ground,” said JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President. “This investment is coming now because workers, students, and families have raised hell over the past year, and are outraged to see programs, opportunities, and good jobs leaving their communities.”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 content“It still isn’t enough to close the gap for colleges or universities, but this is not a stand-down moment,” added Hornick. “This is a milestone in our shared fight for public education.”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 contentAccording to the CCPA, even with the new funding, this “generational” investment will leave Ontario far behind. The plan also introduces a two-tier funding model: a handful of “priority programs” will receive most of the new money over the next four years, while others get only a modest increase.Article contentAbsent “priority program” funding, OPSEU/SEFPO estimates the changes may lift provincial per student funding for colleges only to about 59 per cent of the rest of Canada, up from 54 per cent. That still places Ontario at the bottom among provinces.Article contentIt remains unclear which programs will be designated as priorities—or who will make that call. OPSEU/SEFPO warns that if the process mirrors past funding initiatives such as the contentious Skills Development Fund, where political considerations were alleged to influence decisions, the outcome may serve insiders more than students or the broader economy.Article contentArticle content“A government serious about improving student outcomes would focus on making funding competitive and education more affordable, not pinning provincial failures to the federal level,” added Hornick. “It’s hard to recover from two decades of underfunding, but that’s where we need to be going if we want a stable, G7-leading post-secondary education sector, and to avoid labour shortages and more young people leaving the province.”Article contentLast year, Ontario’s youth unemployment rate spiked to a nine-year high. A recent public opinion poll found that 3 in 4 Ontarians anticipate widespread job losses in the next 5 years.Article content“Growing pressure on student financial assistance is a symptom of growing precarity,” said Hornick. “So why is Ford raising tuition and saddling graduates with more OSAP debt?”Article content“Public and post-secondary education in Ontario is being bled dry,” added Hornick. “There is an elegant solution: re-direct SDF funds misappropriated for low-scoring projects to student grants and drive down the cost of tuition. Level the playing field for all Ontarians – not just friends of Ford’s cabinet.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentVic Wojciechowska Ontario Public Service Employees Union / Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) (437) 518 3459 vwojciechowska@opseu.org Article contentTrending 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 Ontario issues first permit that opens up old mine tailings for exploration Mining CRA charged taxpayer instalment interest before he received all his GIC income Taxes As Canadian bond yields fall, watch for fixed rates to follow Mortgage Rates Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. 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 Ontario issues first permit that opens up old mine tailings for exploration Mining CRA charged taxpayer instalment interest before he received all his GIC income Taxes As Canadian bond yields fall, watch for fixed rates to follow Mortgage Rates