The Ontario government has invested $73 million to fund 2,776 additional seats at Toronto Metropolitan University 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 Toronto Metropolitan University include programs in STEM, health and education, 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 2,776 newly funded seats at Toronto Metropolitan University include:
- 2,115 seats for STEM programs
- 627 seats for health programs
- 34 seats for education programs
"This funding, dedicated to students pursuing in-demand careers, connects strongly to TMU's commitment to the advancement of applied knowledge and research in addressing the complex and evolving challenges of today," said Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University. "From day one, TMU has been committed to preparing students for careers that serve societal need and we welcome the province's support in fulfilling this mission."
This expansion at Toronto Metropolitan University will ensure students in Toronto 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
"Our government recognizes that investing in education is an investment in Ontario's future. Under Premier Ford's leadership, this $73-million investment in Toronto Metropolitan University will create more opportunities for students in York South--Weston and across Toronto to pursue rewarding careers in high-demand fields. By expanding access to quality postsecondary education, we are empowering the next generation with the skills to succeed, strengthening our workforce and ensuring Ontario remains a place where young people can build successful futures and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous province."
- Mohamed Firin, MPP for York South--Weston
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
