Ontario Election: OCC Calls for Bold Investment in Post-Secondary Education

(TORONTO – February 20, 2025) – As Ontario faces economic shifts and mounting uncertainty, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is calling on all political parties to make a long-term commitment to protect and elevate Ontario’s post-secondary education system so that it is the best-funded in Canada.

“Let me say this to all party leaders: Ontario must aspire to have the best-funded post-secondary education system in Canada – not the worst,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “Ontario’s postsecondary education system is core to both our global competitiveness and the economic and social fabric of our communities. But decades of underfunding, coupled with tuition freezes, place it at grave risk today.

“It is right that leaders are talking about aggressive spending to support businesses and workers who might be affected by U.S. tariffs. But it would be wrong to spend billions subsidizing the present while neglecting our future. This is no time for timidity. It’s time for ambition.”

The OCC’s call to action is rooted in Ontario Competes, its platform outlining strategic priorities for the 2025 provincial election. The organization is urging all parties to prioritize post-secondary education and workforce development through key commitments:

• Increasing operating grants to ensure institutions maintain program quality and expand capacity to meet future demand.
• Fully funding enrolment expansion and addressing the funding gap for currently unfunded students to reflect changing demographics.
• Enhancing research funding to bolster Ontario’s position as a leader in innovation and attract top-tier talent globally.
• Strengthening partnerships between government, industry, and academia to address skills gaps and foster sector-specific growth.

“Ontario’s ability to attract and retain business investment depends on the strength of its workforce. Investing in people today will ensure businesses and communities thrive tomorrow,” added Tisch.

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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