The Ontario government has invested $205 million to fund 7,574 additional seats at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Collège La Cité to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province's plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Collège La Cité include programs in STEM, health, trades and education, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
"Our province's greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce - and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province."
This investment is part of the government's historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.
The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.
The 4,128 newly funded seats at the University of Ottawa include:
- 2,494 seats for STEM programs
- 1,319 seats for health programs
- 315 seats for education programs
The 2,328 newly funded seats at Carleton University include:
- 1,220 seats for STEM programs
- 281 seats for health programs
- 827 seats in other labour-market driven programs
The 1,118 newly funded seats at Collège La Cité include:
- 276 seats for STEM programs
- 272 seats for health programs
- 178 seats for education programs
- 163 seats for trades programs
- 229 seats in other labour-market driven programs
"The University of Ottawa applauds Premier Doug Ford, Minister Nolan Quinn and the Ontario government's investment in 40,000 new student seats, strengthening the talent pipeline that drives economic competitiveness and prosperity," said Marie-Eve Sylvestre, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa. "As Canada's only bilingual research-intensive university, uOttawa is proud to work with industry, government and postsecondary partners in both official languages to develop the talent, discoveries and ideas that will power Ontario's future."
"We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for investing in Carleton University's students and the future of our province," said Wisdom Tettey, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University. "Carleton has a long history of preparing students to turn knowledge into impact, from engineering and computer science to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science. This expansion will enable us to create opportunities for more students to access our world class education; grow and strengthen the talented workforce necessary for Ontario's competitiveness, economic growth, and prosperity; and build mutually flourishing communities that promote inclusive impact."
"This announcement underscores the importance of connecting education and training with the realities of our communities and the evolving demands of the labour market," said Dr. Lynn Casimiro, President and CEO, Collège La Cité. "At La Cité, we are proud to contribute to this important investment and support this priority by providing authentic, hands-on, work-integrated learning that prepares students with the skills and experience to succeed in today's economy. As Ontario's largest French-language college, we also have an important role to play in strengthening the province's bilingual workforce and supporting a skilled, resilient workforce that contributes to economic growth across Ontario."
This expansion at University of Ottawa, Carleton University and Collège La Cité will ensure students in Ottawa can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario's world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.
Quick Facts
- Through the call for proposals, publicly assisted colleges and universities submitted a Priority Growth Plan to the government that reflects their school's strengths, regional economic trends, local labour market needs, and student demand.
- The ministry received over 1,000 letters of support from employers who endorse the expansion of seats across in-demand programs at their local institution.
- Programs in STEM, health care, trades and education produce graduates who have higher rates of employment in related fields, earn higher wages and drive key sectors of the economy.
- Through Budget 2025, Ontario invested nearly a billion dollars into publicly assisted colleges and universities to fund over 100,000 more seats in programs that produce graduates to meet Ontario's labour market demands such as teaching, nursing, STEM, and skilled trades.
- Ontario's new $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billion, a 30 per cent increase and the highest level in the province's history.
- As part of its $6.4 billion new funding model, Ontario is also investing a historic $57 million into Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand up to 780 seats for in-demand programs.
Additional Resources
- Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector's Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Ontario Investing $1.7 Billion to Prepare More Students for In-Demand Careers
- Ontario Investing $57 Million to Support Indigenous Postsecondary Institutes' Long-Term Success and Sustainability
- Learn about colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario
