Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, Feb. 13, 2005) – A new poll finds Ontario citizens are concerned about the government funding levels to Ontario colleges and most feel it has had a negative impact on the quality of education provided.

“This poll supports the views that former premier Bob Rae heard as he was preparing his important report on postsecondary education,” said Rick Miner, chair of the Committee of Presidents, the Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario (ACAATO). “Ontario colleges are 10th out of the 10 provinces in per-student revenue. That’s troubling to people in the current economy, a time when Ontario should be producing greater numbers of highly-trained graduates.”

The poll, done for ACAATO by The Strategic Counsel, was conducted from Jan. 12 to Jan. 21 The poll had a sample size of 800 people and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Among those with an opinion, the findings were:

• 87 per cent of respondents were concerned that Ontario colleges receive the lowest per-student revenue in Canada.
• 86 per cent of respondents felt the level of funding has a negative impact on the quality of education provided.
• 66 per cent of respondents felt Ontario colleges aren’t receiving enough funding, compared with only 34 per cent who felt the funding level is at least the right amount.
• 62 per cent of respondents felt that too few of Ontario’s young people are pursuing a postsecondary education.

“In her Feb. 7 news conference, Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Mary Anne Chambers said she wants to know what the public thinks of the postsecondary funding issues,” said Miner. “This poll shows the public values college education and it is important for the government to invest in higher education.”

Ontario colleges support the Rae report’s recommendation that significant investments must be made starting this year and up to the 2007-08 fiscal year. By 2007-08, funding to colleges must increase by at least $400 million to bring Ontario in line with the national average.

Improved funding will allow colleges to hire more faculty and staff and to make important investments in technology and resources. The colleges are urging the Ontario government to make major investments in the college system this year.

“The government must demonstrate that it understands the direction of the Rae report and the importance of investing in our future,” said Miner. “The government must back its good intentions with significant increases in funding.”

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For more information:

Rob Savage
ACAATO Communications
(416) 596-0744, ext. 239