COU Welcomes Ontario’s Bold Action to Support Higher Education

TORONTO, February 12, 2026 – “Ontario’s universities welcome today’s landmark announcement to increase funding for the postsecondary sector by $6.4 billion over four years. This investment, while also capping tuition at two per cent annually after a longstanding cut and freeze, provides a timely and sustainable funding framework for the sector.

Today’s announcement comes at a critical time for higher education and underscores universities’ vital role in supporting students, graduating the future workforce, and driving the research and innovation needed to protect and grow Ontario’s economic prosperity, resilience and long-term competitiveness.

This new funding, including $4.4 billion in increased operating funding and $284 million in new funding for small, rural, Northern and French-language institutions, is a crucial step in addressing the very real financial pressures our institutions have faced after years of rising costs, enrolment pressures and declining revenues.

It also recognizes the growing demand that universities across Ontario have been seeing from Ontario high school students – the province’s future workforce. Since 2020, the number of Ontario high school students applying to universities has increased by 18.5 per cent. Investing $1.7 billion to support more than 70,000 spaces will help ensure these students can attend an Ontario university in a high-demand area that is critical to our economy.

Increasing operating funding and capping tuition at two per cent will help universities sustain and strengthen the core programs and services students rely on – from high-quality university programs and access to mental health and career services, to enhanced co-op and work-integrated learning opportunities that align with labour market needs and help prepare graduates for a changing labour force.

Ontario’s universities remain steadfast in their commitment to students. With a long-standing dedication to student access and affordability, universities are investing more than $1.4 billion annually in financial assistance. In addition, 10 per cent of all new domestic tuition revenues will be reinvested directly into student aid, ensuring that qualified students with the greatest financial need continue to have access to a university education.

Universities will continue to do their part to drive greater efficiencies and cut costs, building on years of collaboration through shared services, joint procurement, digital transformation and administrative streamlining to ensure any funding they receive is used responsibly to deliver value to taxpayers.

Ontario’s universities play a vital role in protecting and growing the province by developing the talent and innovation needed to support economic growth. Today’s announcement is a clear signal that the province is a committed partner with the postsecondary sector with a shared goal to ensure Ontario attracts investment, builds a highly skilled workforce and drives economic growth and prosperity.”

 – Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities

Quick Facts

• Over the past three years, nearly $1.28 billion in cuts and deferrals have been made, including 2,500 in job losses and 2,700 in cancelled courses and programs.
• The 10% cut and freeze to domestic tuition has reduced the real value of university domestic tuition by more than 20% since 2019.
• Since Ontario cut tuition in 2019, other provinces have increased tuition by more than 16% on average. Tuition rates for Ontario university general programs ranks 6^th in the country from highest to lowest.
• Federal measures to reduce the number of international students has reduced Ontario university revenue by more than $300 million last year, $700 million this year, $1.1 billion next year, $1.5 billion in 2027-28 and $1.7 billion in 2028-29 – for a cumulative total of $5.4 billion over five years.
• The sector currently invests nearly $1.8 billion annually in student services such as mental health supports, career counselling and work-integrated learning.