Province to provide Loyalist College $3.5 million to offset impact of COVID-19

BELLEVILLE – The Ontario government is providing $3.5 million to help Loyalist College address the financial impacts of COVID-19, Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte announced today.

This investment will support the sustainability of postsecondary education in the Bay of Quinte region and help ensure students get the skills and education they need for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.

“Loyalist College is a major employer and economic driver in our community and it has consistently developed skilled workers to meet our region’s needs,” said Smith. “COVID-19 has affected program delivery, while adding new costs for PPE and physical alterations to classrooms, labs, and public space. We recognize that and we’re delivering support to ensure the college is well positioned to continue its important work.”

Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, the President and Chief Executive Officer at Loyalist College, said the funding will allow the college to purchase additional PPE and sanitation products and to hire cleaning staff and security personnel to enhance campus entry screening procedures.  It will also help the college to address student needs.

“Thank you to the Government of Ontario for allocating these generous funds, which will empower us to address students’ financial, technological and food security needs through bursaries, IT supports, and healthy food cupboard contributions,” said Vaughan. “In addition to meeting public health guidelines and keeping our college community safe, Loyalist College faculty and staff have remained singularly focused on supporting student success through hands-on in-class learning, remote and blended program delivery, as well as personalized academic, health, and wellness services.

“As the Bay of Quinte region prepares to emerge from the pandemic, Loyalist College is at the ready – driving economic development through innovative partnerships, academic programs and applied research projects which prepare graduates to anticipate and meet new market needs.”

This funding is part of the Postsecondary Education Support Fund, a provincial investment of $106.5 million for postsecondary institutions who have been the most financially impacted by COVID-19.  The money will help to offset pandemic-related costs, including those associated with online learning, personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning.

“Our postsecondary institutions are critical to the prosperity of our province and local communities and will contribute significantly to our economic recovery,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Postsecondary institutions are a key source of job creation, skills training, research, and innovation. That’s why our government has established the emergency fund to help address the financial impacts of COVID-19 and ensure they have the tools, technologies and resources they need to support students throughout their studies.”

QUICK FACTS

• Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario delivered $25 million in additional funding to publicly assisted colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes to help address each institution’s most pressing needs, including purchasing medical supplies, offering mental health supports and deep cleaning campus facilities.
• According to the Conference Board of Canada, every $1 invested in postsecondary education generates a positive economic return on investment estimated at $1.36.
• The university and college sectors had annual surpluses of $863 million and $333 million respectively at the end of 2019-20.
• The sectors anticipate COVID-19 impacts of up to $1.9 billion dollars in 2020-21.
• The Postsecondary Education Support Fund allocates funding to institutions using an approach that accounts for size as well as COVID-19 related revenue impacts and added expenses relative to an institution’s existing surplus in order to target those that need it most.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect the people of Ontario from COVID-19.
• Learn about other Ontario supports for businesses.

MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Bramburger, Constituency Assistant
T: 613-962-3186 (o), 613-876-1734 (c), E: adam.bramburger@pc.ola.org