Ontario Chamber: $6.4 billion postsecondary investment key to a more competitive Ontario

(TORONTO — February 12, 2026) —  The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) welcomes today’s $6.4 billion investment in post-secondary education – including the stable, long-term funding the Chamber has championed – as a major step to strengthen Ontario’s talent pipeline and long-term competitiveness.

Ontario’s colleges, universities, and Indigenous institutes play a central role in Ontario’s economy, training workers at every career stage, partnering with employers to deliver in-demand skills, advancing research and innovation, and anchoring communities across the province.

As competing jurisdictions rebuild capacity at home and vie for investment, access to skilled talent remains one of the most important drivers of growth.

“This announcement reflects a priority the Ontario Chamber has championed: if we want a more competitive, self-reliant Ontario, we have to skill up and scale up,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “That means preparing more people for in-demand careers and strengthening the programs that power our key sectors. This is an investment in Ontario’s productivity and long-term prosperity.”

The OCC has consistently called for stable, sustainable funding to ensure post-secondary institutions can plan for the long term and continue delivering economic value in communities across Ontario.

“Strong post-secondary institutions are woven into the economic fabric of Ontario communities,” Tisch added. “They help keep talent local, support employers, and apply research and innovation to make businesses more productive and workers more valuable. When these institutions are strong, so are local, provincial and national economies.”

The Chamber emphasized that continued collaboration between government, institutions, and employers will be essential to maximize the impact of today’s investment, particularly through expanded work-integrated learning, faster program development, and clearer pathways between education and employment.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager, Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: 647-234-0255