A funding crisis looms for Ontario’s public colleges, with absolutely devastating effects coming for Northern Ontario.

How did we get here? Who’s at fault? How the fuck do we get out of this mess?

For decades, the public college system in Northern Ontario has served as a lifeline for students, communities, and industries across the region. These institutions have provided affordable education, supported workforce development, and acted as firm economic anchors in communities often struggling with declining industries and population demographic shifts.

But beneath the surface of these vital institutions lies a growing funding crisis—one that threatens to erode the very foundation of higher education in the North.

The funding crisis facing Northern Ontario’s public colleges isn’t a sudden development. It’s the culmination of decades of neoliberal policies that prioritize austerity, privatization, and market-driven decision-making over firm and consistent public investment. Provincial and federal governments have systematically underfunded public post-secondary institutions, forcing them to rely increasingly on international student tuition, corporate partnerships, and other precarious revenue streams.

In the North, where student populations are smaller and economic opportunities fewer, this trend has disproportionately harmful effects. Colleges like Northern College, Cambrian College, and Confederation College are expected to deliver world-class education on shoestring budgets, all while serving some of the most underserved communities in Canada.

So what’s an educational institution to do with such a heavy burden and such light wallets?

Meet the Neoliberal answer – International students. A band-aid solution at best, and the catalyst that will drive our province even further into the erosion of public education and further the cause of privatization in a province already hellbent on destroying the very fabric of our public institutions all in the name of free capital.

While international tuition fees have provided a temporary financial lifeline, they also highlight the fragility of the system. International students often pay three to four times the tuition of domestic students, effectively subsidizing the education of Canadian students. This model is not only unsustainable but also ethically questionable, placing undue pressure on students who face unique challenges, from housing shortages to cultural adjustment.

Why so expensive and why the over-reliance? The answer is simple.

Mike Harris.

(And if we want to get real pedantic, every single government that has come after him that fails to reverse Ontario’s educational policy direction.)

In 1996, the government of Ontario under the Progressive Conservatives deregulated international tuition, and allowed colleges to simply take the cash.

Why would he do that?

Tuition in the 1990’s account for only 10% to 15% of operating revenue, with provincial operating grants accounting for 60% of funding. Campaigning on “Common Sense Conservatism” – doesn’t that sound familiar? – he radically aligned Ontario’s educational policies towards neoliberalism. Focus less on funding from Ontario and more on tuition and the free-market – work with corporate sponsors and partner with other organizations; but above all, keep your grubby hands off the provincial teat.

The result?

Decades later and a few governments later, the share revenues coming from tuition increased from 23 per cent in 2009 to 35 per cent in 2015 and were projected to rise to 40 per cent by 2025; meanwhile provincial operating grants have shrunken to roughly 36%. Underfunding of Ontario colleges was recently highlighted by former provincial Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, in her annual report. She estimated that grant-based funding for 2020 was $1.6 billion while tuition fees, ancillary services and donations accounted for $5.1 billion.

What happened is quite clear. With Ontario failing to publicly invest widely within Ontario’s college system, our public education institutions were forced to find the funding elsewhere to remain competitive. What they found was deregulated international tuition, which they were quick to exploit to fill the growing cash gap – creating an unsustainable and unethical funding dilemma.

One that’s about to pop very, very badly in Northern Ontario.

Northern Ontario faces challenges that make the funding crisis particularly acute. Geographical isolation, harsh winters, and a dispersed population mean that operating costs for colleges are significantly higher than those in urban areas. Transportation, infrastructure maintenance, and student housing all require additional investment that simply isn’t being provided. Moreover, many students in Northern Ontario come from low-income or Indigenous communities, where barriers to education are already substantial. Cuts to programs and services disproportionately harm these students, further entrenching cycles of systematic poverty and inequality in our northern communities.

A loss in program availability and even the shuttering of college campuses will literally lead to indirect economic impacts that will cost rural Ontario millions in lost revenue. By allowing the system to decay, thousands of young Northern Ontarians will be force to relocate to the south where they will most likely settle, further worsening the economic stagnation and instability of the North.

Underfunding public colleges has far-reaching consequences. With shrinking budgets, colleges are forced to cut programs, reduce staff, and rely on underpaid contract faculty. This diminishes the quality of education and the student experience. Rising tuition costs and fewer program offerings make it harder for students in Northern Ontario to access education close to home. Public colleges are major employers and economic drivers in their communities. When colleges struggle, the ripple effects are felt throughout the region, including a substantial drop in employable candidates for local businesses and industry. Without adequate resources, colleges cannot offer the programs and facilities needed to retain talent in the North, exacerbating the region’s challenges with outmigration.

What’s needed is a call for action.

The funding crisis is not inevitable; it’s a political choice. Reversing the damage requires bold action and a commitment to prioritizing public education as a cornerstone of Northern Ontario’s future. Provincial and federal governments must significantly boost funding for Ontario’s colleges to ensure they can operate sustainably and equitably. Greater investment is needed to expand access to education for Indigenous students, including funding for culturally relevant programming and support services. While international students should remain a valued part of the college community, public funding must replace the dependence on their tuition as a primary revenue source. Colleges in Northern Ontario need targeted investments in program expansion modern facilities, student housing, and transportation networks to meet the unique challenges of the region.

The looming funding crisis is a test of our collective priorities.

Will we allow decades of underfunding and neoliberal neglect to dismantle one of the North’s most vital public goods? Or will we rise to the challenge and demand a reinvestment in the public colleges that serve as lifelines for communities across Northern Ontario?

The time to act is now. The future of Northern Ontario’s students, our economy, and our communities depends on it.

-K-