Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (2023–24)
The 2023–2024 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2023.
Summary
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is responsible for making sure that Ontario’s postsecondary education system prepares students and job seekers with the high-quality education, skills and opportunities needed to get good jobs, providing Ontario’s businesses with the skilled workforce and talent they need to thrive and prosper. The ministry also supports research and innovation to help the province compete and thrive in the global economy.
Ministry program summary
| Vote | Program | Estimates | Estimates | Difference | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 3001 | Ministry Administration Program | $15,012,000 | $15,021,000 | ($9,000) | $15,404,198 |
| 3002 | Postsecondary Education Program | $6,631,704,000 | $6,477,912,500 | $153,791,500 | $6,102,039,959 |
| 3005 | Research Program | $206,897,100 | $210,688,900 | ($3,791,800) | $163,482,281 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $6,853,613,100 | $6,703,622,400 | $149,990,700 | $6,280,926,438 | |
| Statutory appropriations | $56,506,014 | $55,106,014 | $1,400,000 | $57,767,700 | |
| Ministry total operating expense | $6,910,119,114 | $6,758,728,414 | $151,390,700 | $6,338,694,138 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Colleges | $4,627,116,400 | $3,490,626,700 | $1,136,489,700 | $3,798,265,975 | |
| Operating expense adjustment - Student Assistance Interest Expense Reclassification | ($48,979,900) | ($48,979,900) | - | ($18,140,954) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Children Aid Societies | ($1,050,000) | - | ($1,050,000) | - | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals | ($10,591,200) | ($8,792,300) | ($1,798,900) | ($9,149,160) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | ($676,800) | ($656,900) | ($19,900) | ($700,360) | |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | $11,475,937,614 | $10,190,926,014 | $1,285,011,600 | $10,108,969,639 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 3002 | Postsecondary Education Program | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 |
| Total operating assets to be voted | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 | |
| Ministry total operating assets | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 3002 | Postsecondary Education Program | $204,847,700 | $212,322,400 | ($7,474,700) | $178,410,358 |
| 3005 | Research Program | $110,642,000 | $101,185,200 | $9,456,800 | $41,277,145 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $315,489,700 | $313,507,600 | $1,982,100 | $219,687,503 | |
| Statutory appropriations | $870,900 | $6,700,100 | ($5,829,200) | $6,769,383 | |
| Ministry total capital expense | $316,360,600 | $320,207,700 | ($3,847,100) | $226,456,886 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Colleges | $342,315,900 | $312,790,000 | $29,525,900 | $287,155,683 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals | ($19,766,200) | ($23,336,400) | $3,570,200 | ($12,443,275) | |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | $638,910,300 | $609,661,300 | $29,249,000 | $501,169,294 | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 3002 | Postsecondary Education Program | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry total capital assets | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - | |
| Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) | $12,114,847,914 | $10,800,587,314 | $1,314,260,600 | $10,610,138,933 | |
Reconciliation to previously published data
| Operating expense | Estimates | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Total operating expense previously published | $6,741,228,414 | $6,338,694,138 |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions from other Ministries | $17,500,000 | - |
| Restated total operating expense | $6,758,728,414 | $6,338,694,138 |
Ministry Administration Program - vote 3001
The Ministry Administration Program provides overall direction required to enable the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to meet its objectives; and delivers administrative and support services for the operational programs of the ministry.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates | Estimates | Difference | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1 | Ministry Administration | $15,012,000 | $15,021,000 | ($9,000) | $15,404,198 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $15,012,000 | $15,021,000 | ($9,000) | $15,404,198 | |
| S | Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act | $47,841 | $47,841 | - | $49,301 |
| S | Parliamentary assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act | $16,173 | $16,173 | - | $15,707 |
| S | Bad debt expenses for Administrative Costs, the Financial Administration Act | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| Total statutory appropriations | $65,014 | $65,014 | - | $65,008 | |
| Total operating expense | $15,077,014 | $15,086,014 | ($9,000) | $15,469,206 | |
Standard account by item and sub-items
Postsecondary Education Program - vote 3002
The Postsecondary Education (PSE) program, supported by the Postsecondary Education Division (PSED) and the Advanced Education Learner Supports Division (AELSD) are responsible for supporting institutions and students respectively, to create an innovative, accessible and responsive PSE system in Ontario. The PSE program develops and implements strategic and operational policies, and provides financial support for postsecondary education institutions and students in Ontario. The PSE program works in support of the government's social and economic policy objectives with the goal of providing opportunities for high quality, innovative, responsive and accessible postsecondary education. The PSE program also supports Ontarians who are seeking access to the postsecondary education system by providing financial and regulatory support, as well as modern delivery channels, enabled by technology.
PSED’s key programs and activities include: developing policy, legislative and funding frameworks for colleges, Indigenous Institutes, and universities; capital policy and evaluation; administration of operating and capital transfer payments to colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes; managing financial and governance relationships with postsecondary education institutions, agencies and transfer payment (TP) organizations; managing accountability mechanisms (such as enrolment, program and financial reporting and key performance indicators); providing supports for Indigenous learners; regulating the public colleges of applied arts and technology in accordance with applicable statutes; providing quality assurance to public colleges as well as out of province and private postsecondary institutions that are seeking to offer degrees in the province; and developing vocational learning outcomes for non-degree postsecondary programs.
AELSD delivers the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), an integrated needs-based financial aid program with the federal government. OSAP provides financial assistance, in the form of grants and loans, to qualified students in postsecondary studies. In addition to the funding provided through OSAP, AELSD provides bursaries, scholarships and other aid programs to postsecondary students. Through the Office of the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges, AELSD also regulates private career colleges, ensuring student protection and program quality. AELSD administers the International Student Program which allows institutions in Ontario to accept international students. Finally, AELSD is responsible for policy that supports technology-enabled learning at the postsecondary level, the implementation and oversight of the province's Virtual Learning Strategy, and administers transfer payment agreements in support of digitally-enabled learning.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates | Estimates | Difference | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1 | Colleges, Universities and Student Support | $6,631,704,000 | $6,477,912,500 | $153,791,500 | $6,102,039,959 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $6,631,704,000 | $6,477,912,500 | $153,791,500 | $6,102,039,959 | |
| S | Bad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act | $54,540,000 | $54,540,000 | - | $52,977,179 |
| S | Bad debt expenses for Colleges and Universities, the Financial Administration Act | $1,400,000 | - | $1,400,000 | $3,500,000 |
| S | Training Completion Assurance Fund, the Private Career Colleges Act | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | $725,513 |
| S | Bad debt expenses for Private Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act | $500,000 | $500,000 | - | $500,000 |
| Total statutory appropriations | $56,441,000 | $55,041,000 | $1,400,000 | $57,702,692 | |
| Total operating expense | $6,688,145,000 | $6,532,953,500 | $155,191,500 | $6,159,742,651 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 4 | Colleges, Universities and Student Support | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 |
| Total operating assets to be voted | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 | |
| Total operating assets | $331,000,000 | $352,500,000 | ($21,500,000) | $243,739,008 | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 3 | Support for Postsecondary Education | $204,847,700 | $212,322,400 | ($7,474,700) | $178,410,358 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $204,847,700 | $212,322,400 | ($7,474,700) | $178,410,358 | |
| S | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $870,900 | $6,700,100 | ($5,829,200) | $6,769,383 |
| Total statutory appropriations | $870,900 | $6,700,100 | ($5,829,200) | $6,769,383 | |
| Total capital expense | $205,718,600 | $219,022,500 | ($13,303,900) | $185,179,741 | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 6 | Colleges, Universities and Student Support | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - | |
| Total capital assets | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - | |
Standard account by item and sub-items
Research Program - vote 3005
The Research Program, supported by the Data, Research and Innovation Division (DRID) supports a stronger research and innovation ecosystem in Ontario by: developing and administering the ministry's suite of research programs that invest in operations, infrastructure and research talent to support world-class research and researchers working in publicly-funded institutions across Ontario; leveraging federal funding; advancing translational and focused research in specific areas; supporting the development of talent; and supporting global research and development collaborations via Memoranda of Understanding with other jurisdictions.
DRID also supports implementation of the government's Intellectual Property (IP) Action Plan, including oversight of the Ontario Agency Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), and other related initiatives to support the postsecondary education sector and broader innovation ecosystem achieve economic opportunity through an enhanced focus on the generation, protection and management of IP. In addition, DRID also leads information management and data initiatives which are aligned with central government directives and fosters evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement for the ministry. DRID is also responsible for the college and university bilateral Strategic Mandate Agreements (SMA). This includes SMA performance and reporting metrics, design, development and implementation of the performance-based funding model, and annual evaluation of performance results.
Vote summary
| Item number | Item | Estimates | Estimates | Difference | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1 | Research Support Operating Expense | $206,897,100 | $210,688,900 | ($3,791,800) | $163,482,281 |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $206,897,100 | $210,688,900 | ($3,791,800) | $163,482,281 | |
| Total operating expense | $206,897,100 | $210,688,900 | ($3,791,800) | $163,482,281 | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 3 | Research Support Capital Expense | $110,642,000 | $101,185,200 | $9,456,800 | $41,277,145 |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $110,642,000 | $101,185,200 | $9,456,800 | $41,277,145 | |
| Total capital expense | $110,642,000 | $101,185,200 | $9,456,800 | $41,277,145 | |
Standard account by item and sub-items
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total operating expense includes statutory appropriations, special warrants and total operating expense to be voted.