The Ontario government has invested $104 million to fund 3,604 additional seats at Queen's University 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 Queen's University include programs in STEM, education and health 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 3,604 newly funded seats at Queen's University include:
- 2,496 seats for STEM programs
- 836 seats for education programs
- 272 seats for health programs
"Queen's welcomes this significant investment to expand access to postsecondary education and prepare more students for rewarding careers in areas critical to Ontario's future," said Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Queen's University. "At Queen's, we are committed to developing the highly skilled talent our province needs, equipping graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities, advancing innovation, and contributing to Ontario's long-term prosperity."
This expansion at Queen's University will ensure students in Kingston 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.
Quotes
"At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario's talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today's investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow."
- Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
"As we continue to protect Ontario's economy and strengthen our industrial capacity and diversity, having the skilled workforce is vital to seeing these investments come to fruition. This investment in Queen's University will enhance our local workforce, giving more opportunities to young people all across Eastern Ontario. I am grateful to Minister Quinn for showing that support for our region, our people, and our economy."
- Ric Bresee, MPP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington
"I'm proud that our government's historic investments in the postsecondary sector are creating more opportunities for students at Ontario's colleges and universities, including Queen's University here in Eastern Ontario. We're delivering on our commitment to help students build rewarding careers, while ensuring Ontario has the skilled workforce needed to compete and make our economy the strongest in the world."
- Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
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
