Ontario is putting students first by making it easier for Ontario's publicly assisted colleges and universities to offer new postsecondary programs.
On October 30th, Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, was joined by Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University to announce the government is simplifying how colleges, private and out-of-province institutions receive consent to offer new degrees in Ontario and how publicly assisted institutions receive program funding approvals. A streamlined process means students can more readily access training for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and that industry has access to a workforce with the right skillset.
"We are reducing duplication and cutting red tape to speed up the approval process. This will help the postsecondary sector to deliver new programs faster, so students can get the training they need to get a good job and help grow Ontario's economy," said Minister Romano. "Streamlining the consent and funding approvals processes means the ministry can communicate decisions to our sector partners faster so they can offer new programs more quickly that may meet labour market demand."
Ontario is also introducing legislation that, if passed, would expand the degree-granting authority of Algoma University and OCAD University.
"All too often, burdensome regulation makes things slower, harder, and more complicated than necessary," said Minister Sarkaria. "As part of our work to reduce regulatory burdens through the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, we're fixing regulations that have led to unintentional consequences like slowing down the process for new college course and degree offerings. By getting out of the way of postsecondary institutions, we're helping them prepare our students for the jobs and opportunities of the future."
Streamlined approvals will lead to more choices for Ontario's students to gain the skills they need to land quality jobs. Making it easier for postsecondary institutions in Ontario to train students for the changing labour market is part of the government's plan to keep Ontario Open for Business and Open for Jobs.
Additional Resources
- Making Ontario Work Better for People, Smarter for Business
- Postsecondary Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB)
Quotes
"By introducing legislation to expand Algoma University's degree-granting authority as Algoma considers new degree and graduate degree options to support talent development and emerging needs of regional employers, Minister Romano has reinforced his commitment to preparing post-secondary education for the 21st century."
Asima Vezina
President and Vice-Chancellor Algoma University
"We are very pleased with the Ontario government's decision to provide a pathway that would allow for full-degree granting authority at OCAD University. The change will allow us to reduce red tape and continue to modernize art and design education to respond to a changing labour market. As a result, OCAD University will be even more of a driving force in the economy by supplying what fuels innovation: career-ready workers who make jobs as well as take them."
Dr. Sara Diamond
President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University
