Ontario supports innovative college partnerships

BELLEVILLE — The government is cutting red tape and removing barriers so Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges can create innovative and entrepreneurial partnerships to provide all students with high-quality education and training that prepares them for Ontario’s workforce.

Earlier today, Minister Romano announced that Ontario is introducing a new policy to support public college-private partnerships that allow colleges to be more financially competitive. In return, the economic advantages from delivering their programs to more students in more locations can be invested back into the colleges’ main campuses and local communities.

“Through these partnerships, students will get the education and training they need for good jobs so Ontario businesses have the skilled workforce to grow and make Ontario open for business and open for jobs,” said the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “These partnerships will strengthen communities across the province by encouraging international students to study at campuses outside the Greater Toronto Area, and to remain there after their studies.”

“For over 50 years, Loyalist College has been a destination for those looking to further their education and obtain the training and skills they need to land a good job,” said Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “As a Loyalist graduate, I am proud that this new policy will allow the college to pursue innovative partnerships with private providers and grow as a key contributor to the Bay of Quinte’s economy.”

“The new policy on public-private partnerships will allow us to attract and train more international students who will contribute to our workforce, helping to bolster Ontario’s economy and offset the province’s declining domestic student population,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President & CEO. “Colleges and communities will benefit from Minister Romano’s announcement today, as well as recent Ontario government initiatives such as the reduction of red tape, enabling us to respond more quickly to regional labour market needs by streamlining the program approval process.”

The new policy on college partnerships will give colleges more flexibility to meet strong demand from international students for Ontario’s high-quality postsecondary education.

QUICK FACTS
▪ Six publicly assisted Ontario colleges (Cambrian, Canadore, Lambton, Northern, St. Clair and St. Lawrence) currently have private partnership agreements for the delivery of programs leading to an Ontario college credential in Canada.
▪ International students with a credential from an Ontario public college may apply for a work permit for up to three years under the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
▪ These partnerships will help strengthen communities across the province by encouraging international students to study at campuses outside the Greater Toronto Area and to potentially remain there after their studies.
▪ This new policy supports colleges in being financially competitive so that they can invest that economic benefit into their main campuses and in their local communities.