The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) has called for the Government of Ontario to lift its tuition freeze and increase funding by 10% for the province’s universities. During the recent ON pre-budget consultations, COU President Steve Orsini stated that, as the result of growing financial pressures, “at least 10 universities are currently projecting an operating deficit for this year.” This pressure is subsequently leading to cuts that impact student supports and services. Orsini urged the provincial government to address the financial sustainability of the sector and immediately implement the blue-ribbon panel’s recent recommendations. In a statement for Global News, an ON spokesperson said that they were carefully reviewing the panel’s recommendations and are looking to foster a “sustainable path forward.”
