The Ford government is investing $76 million to fund 3,586 extra seats at Brock University and Niagara College to connect students with sectors that have in-demand and well-paying jobs. The increased spending on these Niagara schools is part of a larger $1.7 billion investment to support 70,000 new seats across the province.
The high-demand areas that will receive additional funding for more placements include science, technology, engineering, math, health, trades, and education. These extra spots will be available as early as the fall of the 2026 academic year, according to the Ontario government.
“The increase in high-demand postsecondary seats at Brock University and Niagara College will help prepare students in our region for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff. “This unprecedented investment of $76 million in our region is part of the largest seat expansion in the province in more than a decade and will help protect Ontario by training the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math – as well as health care and the skilled trades – as they enter the workforce.”
The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced back in May. At the same time, a call for proposals was initiated for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities to identify programs that will help prepare students for future jobs in areas in which there are clear labour market needs. The provincial government then evaluated those proposals – factoring in institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand – and announced the remaining seats accordingly.
Officials at both Brock University and Niagara College responded positively to the Ontario government’s announcement.
“From the shores of Lake Ontario, Brock University applauds the Ontario government’s investment in new postsecondary seats that enables us to strategically grow our STEM and applied health programs to develop world-class graduates that serve local community and regional workforce needs and fill in-demand careers,” said Dr. Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor of Brock University.
“This investment comes at an important time in helping the province stand up to Protect Ontario in building a highly skilled workforce and enhancing Brock’s capacity to drive economic growth and prosperity in Niagara and beyond,” added Rigg.
Sean Kennedy, President of Niagara College, had much the same message.
“We are grateful to the Ontario government…for recognizing the important role that Ontario’s colleges pay in building a highly skilled workforce that will fuel economic growth in our communities and across our province,” said Kennedy. “The province’s $1.7 billion investment through the Priority Growth Fund will significantly enhance our ability to address critical shortages in key sectors in Niagara and beyond.”
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
