Ontario Student Voices (OSV) believes that an accessible, high-quality, and afford- able postsecondary education system is essential to preparing the next generation of skilled workers and strengthening Ontario’s economy. The Ontario government has introduced an ambitious infrastructure development plan across nine key areas, amounting to $190 billion in investments. However, the province currently faces a significant shortage of skilled labor, threatening its economic goals. Contributing factors to this shortfall include the mass retirement of baby boomers, a historical push towards university education over college programs, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada is projected to lose over 700,000 skilled workers due to retirement and will require 75,000 new skilled workers annually over the next five years to meet the growing demand. Specifically, Ontario is anticipated to need over 100,000 skilled workers by 2030. To address this, the Ontario government invested $260 million in training programs in critical sectors in 2024. While these investments are vital, further support must be directed toward students who will fill these roles, ensuring they are equipped and ready to meet the province’s labor demands. Ontario’s economic success hinges on infrastructure investments and providing the necessary resources for the students who will power these industries.
Postsecondary students across Ontario face increasing financial pressures as inflation and the cost of living continue to rise yearly. These challenges have intensified the strain on postsecondary affordability at a time when students are expected to meet the growing demands of Ontario’s economy. High student debt, mental health challenges, rising food insecurity, a lack of financial sustainability to the post-secondary sector, and obstacles within the work-integrated learning system all present significant barriers. In response, Ontario Student Voices has developed a set of recommendations, informed by extensive student consultations, to address these challenges and create a more affordable, high-quality, and accessible postsecondary education system. These improvements will enhance students’ capacity to contribute to Ontario’s critical sectors while supporting the overall health and well-being of Ontario’s student population.
To create an ideal system and empower the next generation of skilled workers to meet the province’s growing demands, the provincial government must take a proactive role in reducing the financial burden associated with postsecondary education. By addressing these challenges, the government can ensure that Ontario’s future workforce is well-positioned to drive economic growth, unencumbered by the constraints of substantial financial obligations.
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