FUNDING WILL HELP ADDRESS COVID-19 RELATED EXPENSES
Niagara College to receive $6.8 million in funding from the Ontario Government

MPP Sam Oosterhoff, April Jeffs, Brock University president Gervan Fearon and Niagara College president Sean Kennedy join the Ontario Government's funding announcement on March 19.

Niagara College received welcome news today, as the Ontario government announced funding to help address the additional COVID-19 related expenses incurred over the past year. Niagara College will receive $6.8 million from the Ontario government's Postsecondary Education Support Fund to support these costs.

"We're very grateful to the province for the funding announced today, and for recognizing the significant financial challenges associated with COVID-19," said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. "This important investment enhances our ability to support our students and our community, and fulfill our important role in the economic recovery that lies ahead."

"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, in announcing today's funding. "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."

This funding is part of Ontario's total investment of $106.4 million for postsecondary institutions who have been the most financially impacted by COVID-19. Funding will help to offset pandemic related costs, including those associated with online learning, personal protective equipment and enhanced cleaning.

"This investment will support the sustainability of postsecondary education in the Niagara region and help ensure students get the skills and education they need for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow," said Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff.