Summary

The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is responsible for making sure that Ontario’s postsecondary education system prepares students and job seekers with the high-quality education, skills and opportunities needed to get good jobs, providing Ontario’s businesses with the skilled workforce and talent they need to thrive and prosper. The ministry also supports research and innovation to help the province compete and thrive in the global economy.

Ministry program summary

Vote Program

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense
3001 Ministry Administration Program 15,682,300 15,012,000 670,300 15,029,617
3002 Postsecondary Education Program 6,856,795,600 6,631,704,000 225,091,600 6,198,266,236
3005 Research Program 176,396,600 206,897,100 (30,500,500) 176,914,394
  Total operating expense to be voted 7,048,874,500 6,853,613,100 195,261,400 6,390,210,247
  Statutory appropriations 56,456,014 56,506,014 (50,000) 55,167,954
  Ministry total operating expense 7,105,330,514 6,910,119,114 195,211,400 6,445,378,201
  Consolidation adjustment - Colleges 4,470,275,600 4,627,116,400 (156,840,800) 4,778,070,898
  Operating expense adjustment - Student Assistance Interest Expense Reclassification (48,979,900) (48,979,900) - (22,045,704)
  Consolidation adjustment - Children’s Aid Societies (1,600,000) (1,050,000) (550,000) -
  Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals (5,651,500) (10,591,200) 4,939,700 (8,542,435)
  Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio (683,000) (676,800) (6,200) (797,997)
  Total including consolidation & other adjustments 11,518,691,714 11,475,937,614 42,754,100 11,192,062,963

Operating assets
3002 Postsecondary Education Program 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 277,030,451
  Total operating assets to be voted 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 277,030,451
  Statutory appropriations - - - 35,000,000
  Ministry total operating assets 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 312,030,451

Capital expense
3002 Postsecondary Education Program 245,980,900 204,847,700 41,133,200 219,609,415
3005 Research Program 105,168,800 110,642,000 (5,473,200) 60,734,909
  Total capital expense to be voted 351,149,700 315,489,700 35,660,000 280,344,324
  Statutory appropriations 959,600 870,900 88,700 5,778,605
  Ministry total capital expense 352,109,300 316,360,600 35,748,700 286,122,929
  Consolidation adjustment - Colleges 331,290,800 342,315,900 (11,025,100) 290,596,981
  Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals (13,027,800) (19,766,200) 6,738,400 (4,481,629)
  Total including consolidation & other adjustments 670,372,300 638,910,300 31,462,000 572,238,281

Capital assets
3002 Postsecondary Education Program 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -
  Total capital assets to be voted 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -
  Ministry total capital assets 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -
  Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) 12,189,064,014 12,114,847,914 74,216,100 11,764,301,244

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

Estimates
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $
Total operating expense previously published footnote 1 6,910,119,114 6,432,863,201
Government reorganization    

Transfer of functions from other Ministries

 - 12,515,000
Restated total operating expense 6,910,119,114 6,445,378,201

Ministry Administration Program - vote 3001

The Ministry Administration Program provides overall direction required to enable the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to meet its objectives; and delivers administrative and support services for the operational programs of the ministry.

Vote summary

Item Item

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense
1 Ministry administration 15,682,300 15,012,000 670,300 15,029,617
  Total operating expense to be voted 15,682,300 15,012,000 670,300 15,029,617
S Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act 47,841 47,841 - 49,301
S Parliamentary assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act 16,173 16,173 - 16,667
S Bad debt expenses for Administrative Costs, the Financial Administration Act 1,000 1,000 - -
  Total statutory appropriations 65,014 65,014 - 65,968
  Total operating expense 15,747,314 15,077,014 670,300 15,095,585

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount $ Amount $

Operating expense
3001-1 Ministry administration    
 

Salaries and wages

   8,756,800
 

Employee benefits

   1,083,200
 

Transportation and communication

   175,200
 

Services

   5,595,600
 

Supplies and equipment

   71,500
  Total operating expense to be voted   15,682,300
  Sub-items:    
  Main office    
 

Salaries and wages

 2,907,300  
 

Employee benefits

 477,700  
 

Transportation and communication

 175,200  
 

Services

 324,700  
 

Supplies and equipment

 71,500 3,956,400
  Financial and administrative services    
 

Salaries and wages

 2,133,300  
 

Employee benefits

 194,800  
 

Services

 2,892,000 5,220,100
  Human resources    
 

Salaries and wages

 957,100  
 

Employee benefits

 127,700  
 

Services

 200,200 1,285,000
  Communications services    
 

Salaries and wages

 2,759,100  
 

Employee benefits

 283,000  
 

Services

 495,500 3,537,600
  Legal services    
 

Services

 1,530,200 1,530,200
  Information systems    
 

Services

 153,000 153,000
  Total operating expense to be voted   15,682,300
  Statutory appropriations    
Statutory

Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act

   47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act

   16,173
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Administrative Costs, the Financial Administration Act

   1,000
  Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program   15,747,314

Postsecondary Education Program - vote 3002

The Postsecondary Education (PSE) program is responsible for supporting institutions and students respectively, to create an innovative, accessible, financially sustainable and responsive PSE system in Ontario. The PSE program develops and implements strategic and operational policies, and provides financial support for postsecondary education institutions and students in Ontario. The PSE program works in support of the government's social and economic policy objectives with the goal of providing opportunities for high quality, innovative, responsive and accessible postsecondary education. The PSE program also supports Ontarians who are seeking access to the postsecondary education system by providing financial and regulatory support, as well as modern delivery channels, enabled by technology.

Key programs and activities include: developing policy, legislative and funding frameworks; administrating transfer payments to postsecondary institutions; managing financial and governance relationships with postsecondary institutions, agencies and transfer payment organizations; managing accountability mechanisms, such as bilateral Strategic Mandate Agreements which include implementation of the performance-based funding model; providing supports for Indigenous and Francophone learners; regulating public colleges in accordance with applicable statutes; providing quality assurance to public colleges as well as out of province and private postsecondary institutions that are seeking to offer degrees in the province; and developing vocational learning outcomes for non-degree postsecondary programs.

Through the PSE program, the ministry delivers the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), an integrated needs-based financial aid program with the federal government. OSAP provides financial assistance, in the form of grants and loans, to qualified students in postsecondary studies. In addition, the ministry provides bursaries, scholarships, aid and incentive programs including the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to postsecondary students.

Through the Office of the Superintendent of Career Colleges, the ministry regulates career colleges, ensuring student protection and program quality and administers the International Student Program which allows institutions in Ontario to accept international students.

The PSE program also includes oversight of the Ontario agency Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) and implementation of other related Intellectual Property (IP) initiatives to support the postsecondary education sector and broader innovation ecosystem achieve economic opportunity through an enhanced focus on the generation, protection and management of IP.

Vote summary

Item number Item

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense
1 Colleges, universities and student support 6,856,795,600 6,631,704,000 225,091,600 6,198,266,236
  Total operating expense to be voted 6,856,795,600 6,631,704,000 225,091,600 6,198,266,236
S Bad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act 54,540,000 54,540,000 - 52,892,130
S Bad debt expenses for Colleges and Universities, the Financial Administration Act 1,350,000 1,400,000 (50,000) 1,400,000
S Training Completion Assurance Fund, the Ontario Career Colleges Act 1,000 1,000 - 309,856
S Bad debt expenses for Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act 500,000 500,000 - 500,000
  Total statutory appropriations 56,391,000 56,441,000 (50,000) 55,101,986
  Total operating expense 6,913,186,600 6,688,145,000 225,041,600 6,253,368,222

Operating assets
4 Colleges, universities and student support 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 277,030,451
  Total operating assets to be voted 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 277,030,451
S Colleges and Universities Support - Loans, the Financial Administration Act - - - 35,000,000
  Total statutory appropriations - - - 35,000,000
  Total operating assets 482,400,000 331,000,000 151,400,000 312,030,451

Capital expense
3 Support for Postsecondary Education 245,980,900 204,847,700 41,133,200 219,609,415
  Total capital expense to be voted 245,980,900 204,847,700 41,133,200 219,609,415
S Amortization, the Financial Administration Act 959,600 870,900 88,700 5,778,605
  Total statutory appropriations 959,600 870,900 88,700 5,778,605
  Total capital expense 246,940,500 205,718,600 41,221,900 225,388,020

Capital assets
6 Colleges, universities and student support 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -
  Total capital assets to be voted 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -
  Total capital assets 3,501,000 1,000 3,500,000 -

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount $ Amount $

Operating expense
3002-1 Colleges, universities and student support    
 

Salaries and wages

   26,546,300
 

Employee benefits

   3,828,500
 

Transportation and communication

   499,300
 

Services

   25,241,600
 

Supplies and equipment

   1,377,500
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Grants for Indigenous Institute operating costs

 31,202,800  
 

Intellectual Property Ontario

 13,933,600  
 

Grants for College Operating Costs

 1,514,049,500  
 

Grants for University Operating Costs

 3,855,705,000  
 

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

 748,200  
 

Postsecondary Transformation

 13,600,000  
 

Student Financial Assistance Programs

 1,370,264,300 6,799,503,400
  Subtotal   6,856,996,600
  Less: recoveries   201,000
  Total operating expense to be voted   6,856,795,600
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act

   54,540,000
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Colleges and Universities, the Financial Administration Act

   1,350,000
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Training Completion Assurance Fund, the Ontario Career Colleges Act

   1,000
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act

   500,000
  Total operating expense for Postsecondary Education Program   6,913,186,600

Operating assets
3002-4 Colleges, universities and student support    
 

Loans and investments

    
 

Student loans

 481,900,000  
 

Defaulted Student Loans

 500,000 482,400,000
  Total operating assets to be voted   482,400,000
  Total operating assets for Postsecondary Education Program   482,400,000

Capital expense
3002-3 Support for Postsecondary Education    
 

Transfer payments

    
 

Capital grants - Indigenous Institutes

 2,000,000  
 

Capital grants - Colleges

 119,957,700  
 

Capital grants - Universities

 124,022,200 245,979,900
 

Other transactions

   1,000
  Total capital expense to be voted   245,980,900
  Statutory appropriations    
 

Other transactions

    
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

   959,600
  Total capital expense for Postsecondary Education Program   246,940,500

Capital assets
3002-6 Colleges, Universities and Student support    
 

Business application software - asset costs

   3,501,000
  Total capital assets to be voted   3,501,000
  Total capital assets for Postsecondary Education Program   3,501,000

Research Program - vote 3005

The Research Program supports a strong research and innovation ecosystem in Ontario by: developing and administering the ministry's suite of research programs that invest in operations, infrastructure and research talent to support world-class research and researchers working in publicly-funded institutions across Ontario; leveraging federal funding; advancing translational and focused research in specific areas; supporting the development of talent; and supporting global research and development collaborations via Memoranda of Understanding with other jurisdictions.

Vote summary

Item number Item

Estimates
2024-25 $

Estimates
2023-24 $

Difference
between
2024-25
and
2023-24 $

Actual
2022-23 $

Operating expense
1 Research support operating expense 176,396,600 206,897,100 (30,500,500) 176,914,394
  Total operating expense to be voted 176,396,600 206,897,100 ($30,500,500) 176,914,394
  Total operating expense 176,396,600 206,897,100 ($30,500,500) 176,914,394

Capital expense
3 Research support capital expense 105,168,800 110,642,000 (5,473,200) 60,734,909
  Total capital expense to be voted 105,168,800 110,642,000 ($5,473,200) 60,734,909
  Total capital expense 105,168,800 110,642,000 ($5,473,200) 60,734,909

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount $

Operating expense
3005-1 Research support operating expense  
 

Salaries and wages

 2,958,300
 

Employee benefits

 399,400
 

Transportation and communication

 16,500
 

Services

 248,000
 

Supplies and equipment

 15,400
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Research operating costs

 172,759,000
  Total operating expense to be voted 176,396,600
  Total operating expense for research program 176,396,600

Capital expense
3005-3 Research support capital expense  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Ontario research fund - research infrastructure

 105,168,800
  Total capital expense to be voted 105,168,800
  Total capital expense for research program 105,168,800