The Government of Ontario recently introduced the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, which contains important considerations for the postsecondary sector. The legislation is focused on tightening oversight and accountability at K–12 school boards while ensuring more consistent learning experiences, such as introducing mandatory written exams on official exam days to prepare students for postsecondary pursuits. In its Quick Facts section, ON also notes the introduction of stringent performance metrics to its Strategic Mandate Agreements (SMAs) and indicated that it is proposing to move the accountability and performance mandate of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) into the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
