The Ontario government has invested $80 million to fund 2,515 additional seats at the University of Waterloo to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province's plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at the University of Waterloo include programs in health, STEM and other labour market-driven areas, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
"Our province's greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce - and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province."
This investment is part of the government's historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.
The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.
The 2,515 newly funded seats at the University of Waterloo include:
- 705 seats for STEM programs
- 103 seats for health programs
- 1,707 seats in other, labour-market driven programs
"The University of Waterloo welcomes the Government of Ontario's investment in creating more spaces in high-demand programs," said Dr. Bill Rosehart, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo. "At Waterloo, students learn both in the classroom and through real-world experiences. By expanding access to these experiences, we can help more students turn their ideas and education into meaningful careers while developing the talented graduates Ontario needs for the future."
This expansion at the University of Waterloo will ensure students in Waterloo can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario's world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities submitted a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school's strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
- The ministry received over 1,000 letters of support from employers who endorse the expansion of seats across in-demand programs at their local institution.
- Programs in STEM, health care, trades and education produce graduates who have higher rates of employment in related fields, earn higher wages and drive key sectors of the economy.
- Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested nearly a billion dollars into publicly assisted colleges and universities to fund over 100,000 more seats in programs that produce graduates to meet Ontario's labour market demands such as teaching, nursing, STEM, and skilled trades.
- Ontario's new $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billion, a 30 per cent increase and the highest level in the province's history.
- As part of its $6.4 billion new funding model, Ontario is also investing a historic $57 million into Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs.
Quotes
"At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario's talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today's investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow."
- Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"The University of Waterloo is a cornerstone of our region's economy, and this investment means more students will have the opportunity to build their careers right here in our community. By expanding seats in high-demand programs, we're helping more students pursue rewarding careers while building the skilled workforce that will keep our local economy strong and support the most competitive economy in the G7."
- Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga
"This is great news for students and families in Kitchener South-Hespeler. More seats at a university in our own region means more choice for young people who want to stay close to home, and more skilled graduates for the businesses that keep our local economy growing."
- Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South-Hespeler
"Education is such an important aspect of growth for young adults in Ontario, and it's a pillar of our communities in Waterloo Region. I am very happy to see funding directed at increasing access to postsecondary education for the University of Waterloo."
- Brian Riddell, MPP for Cambridge
Additional Resources
- Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector's Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Prepare More Students for In-Demand Careers
- Ontario Investing $57 Million to Support Indigenous Postsecondary Institutes' Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Learn about colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario
