The Ontario Liberals have called on the auditor general to look into the allocation of provincial student financial aid funds in private career colleges. This request, made by colleges and universities critic Tyler Watt, follows reports from The Canadian Press indicating a significant rise in spending from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) primarily at a select few career colleges.
Career Colleges Ontario had previously raised concerns to the provincial government regarding this surge in spending, with ministry inspectors identifying what they deemed as unusual financial activities. In response, three Academy of Learning campuses have filed legal action against the government’s decision to disqualify them from receiving OSAP loans this year. They have refuted most of the ministry’s claims and emphasized their commitment to addressing the concerns raised.
Earlier this year, Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn expressed that the cost of OSAP had reached unsustainable levels. As a result, the government substantially reduced the grant amounts available to students at universities and publicly funded colleges, restricting career college students to only be eligible for loans.
Watt criticized the government’s approach, stating that a more targeted solution was needed instead of a broad reduction. He has called for the auditor general to investigate various aspects, including the government’s oversight of OSAP spending at career colleges.