安省政府将资助本省高等教育院校$13亿元！未来三年学费不会增长

安省政府将投资近$13亿加元来稳定本省的高等教育院校，同时继续冻结至少未来三年的学费增长，以降低安省学生和家长的生活成本。此外，省府还制定了新的法案《2024 加强问责制和学生支持法》（Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024），旨在保护学生们的身心健康，帮助他们在毕业后找到有价值的工作。

安省高等教育厅厅长Jill Dunlop表示：“目前很多人都正面临着巨大的经济压力，我们不能通过提高学费来增加学生和家庭的负担。因此，我们正在进行历史性的投资，以稳定高校的发展，而不是通过提高学费来加重辛勤劳作的家庭的负担。我们在这里要保护学生的心理健康，促进校园安全，并帮助学生为从事有价值的工作做好准备。”

因此，安省政府投入$13亿元，帮助安省各高校度过财务上的难关。其中，$1.674亿元用于设备和基础设施的维护跟维修，$6540万元用于支持项目研究、创新以及持续运营和维护，$2300万元用于加强心理健康支持，$1亿元用于支付高校中STEM项目的开支。此外，政府还允许各高校增加外省学生学费，增幅最高可达 5%。通过资助省内各高校，从而保护安省家庭免于承担学费增加的负担。

为了帮助更多的学生找到工作，省府将推出一个职业门户网站，帮助学生了解劳动力市场的需求，帮助他们在大学选专业上做出明智的决定。此外，允许高校开设应用型硕士学位，让学生学到重要的技能、专业知识，以及获取证书。省府也知道创造一个安全和谐的学习环境的重要性。新法案将要求高校不仅要制定打击种族主义和仇恨的政策，还要改善心理健康和保健的支持与服务。

Ontario government maintains tuition fee freeze and invests nearly $1.3 billion to stabilize colleges and universities 

The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.3 billion to stabilize the province’s collages and universities, while maintaining the tuition freeze for at least three more years to keep costs down for Ontario students and parents. Meanwhile, the government is proposing new legislation, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, to support student mental health and help connect them to rewarding careers after graduation.  

“At a time when too many people are struggling to make ends meet, we can’t put more costs on students and families by raising tuition,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Instead of burdening hard-working families with higher tuition, we’re making historic investments to stabilize colleges and universities. We’re supporting student mental health, fostering safer campuses, and preparing students for rewarding careers.” 

The Ontario government funds $1.3 billion to help institutions overcome current financial instability, among which $167.4 million for capital repairs and equipment, $65.4 million to support research, innovation, and ongoing operations and maintenance, $23 million to enhance mental health supports, $100 million to cover STEM program expenses. In addition, the government allows institutions to increase tuition by up to 5% for out-of-province domestic students. By funding the university and collages, protecting our Ontario families from taking on the burden of an increased tuition. 

To help more students find job, the province will launch a career portal to help students understand labour market needs so that they can make informed decisions on postsecondary education. Furthermore, allowing collages to offer applied master’s degrees in areas of study that help students graduate with in-demand skills, expertise and credentials. The government also knows the importance of create a safe and harmonious studying environment. The proposed legislation would require colleges and universities not only to have policies in place to combat racism and hate but also to improve mental health and wellness supports and services.