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
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20
  Operating expense        
3001 Ministry Administration Program $15,126,600 $15,515,700 ($389,100) $23,119,356
3002 Postsecondary Education Program $6,440,990,700 $6,455,038,100 ($14,047,400) $6,447,042,418
3005 Research 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        
3001 Ministry Administration Program - $1,000 ($1,000) -
3002 Postsecondary 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        
3002 Postsecondary Education Program $178,126,800 $173,021,900 $5,104,900 $95,929,089
3005 Research 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        
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) $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 number Item

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20
  Operating expense        
1 Ministry 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
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 - $16,667
S Bad 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-items Amount Amount
  Operating expense    
3001-1 Ministry 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 number Item

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20
  Operating expense        
1 Colleges, 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
S Bad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act $54,540,000 $54,540,000 - $54,540,000
S Training Completion Assurance Fund, the Private Career Colleges Act $1,000 $1,000 - $530,504
S Bad 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        
4 Colleges, 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        
3 Support 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
S Amortization, 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        
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

Vote-
item
number		 Standard account by item and sub-items Amount Amount
  Operating expense    
3002-1 Colleges, 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    
3002-4 Colleges, 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    
3002-3 Support 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    
3002-6 Colleges, 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 number Item

Estimates
2021-22

Estimates
2020-21

Difference
between
2021-22
and
2020-21

Actual
2019-20
  Operating expense        
1 Research 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        
3 Research 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-items Amount
  Operating expense  
3005-1 Research 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  
3005-3 Research 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