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

VoteProgram

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
3001Ministry Administration Program$15,126,600$15,515,700($389,100)$23,119,356
3002Postsecondary Education Program$6,440,990,700$6,455,038,100($14,047,400)$6,447,042,418
3005Research Program$191,011,700$189,375,300$1,636,400$184,970,756
 Total operating expense to be voted$6,647,129,000$6,659,929,100($12,800,100)$6,655,132,530
 Statutory appropriations$55,106,014$55,106,014-$55,636,472
 Ministry total operating expense$6,702,235,014$6,715,035,114($12,800,100)$6,710,769,002
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges$3,500,426,300$3,504,321,700($3,895,400)$3,372,387,248
 Operating expense adjustment - Student Assistance Interest Expense Reclassification($48,979,900)($48,979,900)-($30,953,709)
 Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals($11,934,300)($9,886,600)($2,047,700)($11,055,136)
 Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio($653,800)($5,904,600)$5,250,800($132,241)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$10,141,093,314$10,154,585,714($13,492,400)$10,041,015,164
 Operating assets    
3001Ministry Administration Program-$1,000($1,000)-
3002Postsecondary Education Program$422,500,000$395,100,000$27,400,000$363,009,840
 Total operating assets to be voted$422,500,000$395,101,000$27,399,000$363,009,840
 Ministry Total Operating Assets$422,500,000$395,101,000$27,399,000$363,009,840
 Capital expense    
3002Postsecondary Education Program$178,126,800$173,021,900$5,104,900$95,929,089
3005Research Program$99,600,000$90,700,000$8,900,000$83,400,000
 Total capital expense to be voted$277,726,800$263,721,900$14,004,900$179,329,089
 Statutory appropriations$7,060,600$7,060,500$100$6,769,383
 Ministry total capital expense$284,787,400$270,782,400$14,005,000$186,098,472
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges$285,056,900$266,604,200$18,452,700$307,134,028
 Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals($33,028,600)($23,576,800)($9,451,800)($15,091,126)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$536,815,700$513,809,800$23,005,900$478,141,374
 Capital assets    
3002Postsecondary 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)$10,677,909,014$10,668,395,514$9,513,500$10,519,156,538

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

2020-21
Estimates

2019-20
Actual

Total operating expense previously published footnote 1$6,713,690,314$7,808,734,304
Government reorganization  

   Transfer of functions from other Ministries

$2,041,000$91,035,656

   Transfer of functions to other Ministries

($696,200)($1,189,000,958)
Restated total operating expense$6,715,035,114$6,710,769,002

 

Operating assets

2020-21
Estimates

2019-20
Actual

Total operating assets previously published footnote 2$395,101,000$363,543,160
Government reorganization  

   Transfer of functions to other Ministries

-($533,320)
Restated Total Operating Assets$395,101,000$363,009,840

 

Capital expense

2020-21
Estimates

2019-20
Actual

Total Capital Expense previously published footnote 3$270,782,400$117,854,727
Government reorganization  

   Transfer of functions from other Ministries

-$83,400,000

   Transfer of functions to other Ministries

-($15,156,255)
Restated Total Capital Expense$270,782,400$186,098,472

Ministry Administration Program - vote 3001

To provide the overall direction required to enable the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to meet its objectives; and to provide the administrative and support services for the operational programs of the ministry.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
1Ministry administration$15,126,600$15,515,700($389,100)$23,119,356
 Total operating expense to be voted$15,126,600$15,515,700($389,100)$23,119,356
SMinister's salary, the Executive Council Act

 

$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SParliamentary assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act

 

$16,173$16,173-$16,667
SBad debt expenses for Administrative Costs, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000--
 Total statutory appropriations$65,014$65,014-$65,968
 Total operating expense$15,191,614$15,580,714($389,100)$23,185,324
 Operating assets    
-Accounts receivable-$1,000($1,000)-
 Total operating assets to be voted-$1,000($1,000)-
 Total operating assets-$1,000($1,000)-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
3001-1Ministry administration  
 

Salaries and wages

 $7,166,700
 

Employee benefits

 $966,800
 

Transportation and communication

 $171,200
 

Services

 $6,753,600
 

Supplies and equipment

 $68,300
 Total operating expense to be voted $15,126,600
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,926,600 
 

Employee benefits

$489,000 
 

Transportation and communication

$171,200 
 

Services

$353,600 
 

Supplies and equipment

$68,300$4,008,700
 Financial and administrative services  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,545,900 
 

Employee benefits

$194,800 
 

Services

$3,327,200$5,067,900
 Human resources  
 

Services

$998,500$998,500
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,694,200 
 

Employee benefits

$283,000 
 

Services

$505,300$3,482,500
 Legal services  
 

Services

$1,336,200$1,336,200
 Information systems  
 

Services

$232,800$232,800
 Total operating expense to be voted $15,126,600
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Minister's salary, the Executive Council Act

 $47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act

 $16,173
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Administrative Costs, the Financial Administration Act

 $1,000
 Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program $15,191,614

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 and universities; 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, key performance indicators and Strategic Mandate Agreement annual report backs); 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 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. 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 also administers transfer payment agreements in support of digitally-enabled learning.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
1Colleges, Universities and Student Support$6,440,990,700$6,455,038,100($14,047,400)$6,447,042,418
 Total operating expense to be voted$6,440,990,700$6,455,038,100($14,047,400)$6,447,042,418
SBad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act$54,540,000$54,540,000-$54,540,000
STraining Completion Assurance Fund, the Private Career Colleges Act$1,000$1,000-$530,504
SBad debt expenses for Private Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act$500,000$500,000-$500,000
 Total statutory appropriations$55,041,000$55,041,000-$55,570,504
 Total operating expense$6,496,031,700$6,510,079,100($14,047,400)$6,502,612,922
 Operating assets    
4Colleges, Universities and Student Support$422,500,000$395,100,000$27,400,000$363,009,840
 Total operating assets to be voted$422,500,000$395,100,000$27,400,000$363,009,840
 Total operating assets$422,500,000$395,100,000$27,400,000$363,009,840
 Capital expense    
3Support for Postsecondary Education$178,126,800$173,021,900$5,104,900$95,929,089
 Total capital expense to be voted$178,126,800$173,021,900$5,104,900$95,929,089
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$7,060,600$7,060,500$100$6,769,383
 Total statutory appropriations$7,060,600$7,060,500$100$6,769,383
 Total capital expense$185,187,400$180,082,400$5,105,000$102,698,472
 Capital assets    
6Colleges, 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

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
3002-1Colleges, Universities and Student Support  
 

Salaries and wages

 $23,328,500
 

Employee benefits

 $3,373,400
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,124,400
 

Services

 $25,456,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $1,629,400
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Grants for Indigenous Institute Operating Costs

$26,702,800 
 

Grants for College Operating Costs

$1,421,529,300 
 

Grants for University Operating Costs

$3,571,326,700 
 

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

$748,200 
 

Postsecondary Transformation

$13,600,000 
 

Student Financial Assistance Programs

$1,352,372,500$6,386,279,500
 Subtotal $6,441,191,700
 Less: recoveries $201,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $6,440,990,700
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act

 $54,540,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Training Completion Assurance Fund, the Private Career Colleges Act

 $1,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for Private Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act

 $500,000
 Total operating expense for Postsecondary Education Program $6,496,031,700
 Operating assets  
3002-4Colleges, Universities and Student Support  
 

Loans and Investments

  
 

Student Loans

$421,500,000 
 

Defaulted Student Loans

$1,000,000$422,500,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $422,500,000
 Total operating assets for Postsecondary Education Program $422,500,000
 Capital expense  
3002-3Support for Postsecondary Education  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Capital Grants - Colleges

$85,275,800 
 

Capital Grants - Universities

$92,850,000$178,125,800
 

Other transactions

 $1,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $178,126,800
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

 $7,060,600
 Total capital expense for Postsecondary Education Program $185,187,400
 Capital assets  
3002-6Colleges, Universities and Student Support  
 

Business application software - asset costs

 $1,000
 Total capital assets to be voted $1,000
 Total capital assets for Postsecondary Education Program $1,000

Research Program - vote 3005

The Research Program 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.

This program also includes implementation of the government's Intellectual Property (IP) Action Plan and related initiatives to support the post-secondary education sector and broader innovation ecosystem achieve economic opportunity through an enhanced focus on the generation, protection and management of IP. In addition, the research program also leads information management and data initiatives for the ministry including postsecondary metrics and Strategic Mandate Agreement metrics, and fosters evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement in the ministry.

Vote summary

Item numberItem

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20

 Operating expense    
1Research support operating expense$191,011,700$189,375,300$1,636,400$184,970,756
 Total operating expense to be voted$191,011,700$189,375,300$1,636,400$184,970,756
 Total operating expense$191,011,700$189,375,300$1,636,400$184,970,756
 Capital expense    
3Research support capital expense$99,600,000$90,700,000$8,900,000$83,400,000
 Total capital expense to be voted$99,600,000$90,700,000$8,900,000$83,400,000
 Total capital expense$99,600,000$90,700,000$8,900,000$83,400,000

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
3005-1Research support operating expense 
 

Salaries and wages

$5,195,200
 

Employee benefits

$858,300
 

Transportation and communication

$145,300
 

Services

$5,677,100
 

Supplies and equipment

$138,900
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Research Operating Costs

$178,996,900
 Total operating expense to be voted$191,011,700
 Total operating expense for Research Program$191,011,700
 Capital expense 
3005-3Research support capital expense 
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Ontario Research Fund - Research Infrastructure

$99,600,000
 Total capital expense to be voted$99,600,000
 Total capital expense for Research Program$99,600,000