TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yesterday, the Ontario government announced that it will be halting funding for three post-secondary campuses in Markham, Milton and Brampton. This announcement came as a surprise to students across the GTA, campus administrators and the affected communities, whom are deeply disappointed by this decision.
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Merrilee Fullerton said that the government will not be able to follow through on the $325 million in funding promised to these projects, citing the province’s $15 billion deficit. The campuses were set to open in 2021 and 2022 and provide an additional 8,000 student seats.
“The communities and institutions affected by the cancellation of the three new campuses are rightfully disappointed with this decision,” said Nour Alideeb, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. “Some of these projects had been underway for years leading up to this point, including extensive work to form partnerships between institutions, create programs and design buildings.”
The Markham campus was part of York University in partnership with Seneca College; the Milton campus was part of Wilfrid Laurier University in partnership with Conestoga College; and the Brampton campus was part of Ryerson University in partnership with Seneca College.
“There is a growing demand for post-secondary education in the GTA. These new campuses would have made it easier for students in Markham, Milton and Brampton to attend college or university in their communities by reducing the costs of housing and transportation,” said Alideeb. “Ontario already has the highest tuition fees in the country, particularly in this part of the province. These new campuses were an investment in our future and in our communities – it’s disappointing that this government can’t see that.”
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the largest student organization in the province, representing over 350,000 college and university students, and advocates for affordable, high-quality post-secondary education.
For more information contact:
Ian McRae, Government Relations and Policy Coordinator: 416-925-3825 or 306-852-0128 (cell)
Nour Alideeb, Chairperson: 416-925-3825