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
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

3001Ministry Administration Program$15,021,000$15,126,600($105,600)$15,697,648
3002Postsecondary Education Program$6,460,412,500$6,440,990,700$19,421,800$6,063,648,786
3005Research Program$210,688,900$191,011,700$19,677,200$185,347,832
 Total operating expense to be voted$6,686,122,400$6,647,129,000$38,993,400$6,264,694,266
 Statutory appropriations$55,106,014$55,106,014-$56,862,002
 Ministry total operating expense$6,741,228,414$6,702,235,014$38,993,400$6,321,556,268
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges$3,490,626,700$3,500,426,300($9,799,600)$3,020,564,239
 Operating expense adjustment - Student Assistance Interest Expense Reclassification($48,979,900)($48,979,900)-($10,162,919)
 Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals($8,792,300)($11,934,300)$3,142,000($16,299,667)
 Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio($656,900)($653,800)($3,100)-
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$10,173,426,014$10,141,093,314$32,332,700$9,315,657,921

Operating assets

3002Postsecondary Education Program$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807
 Total operating assets to be voted$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807
 Ministry total operating assets$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807

Capital expense

3002Postsecondary Education Program$212,322,400$178,126,800$34,195,600$173,020,900
3005Research Program$101,185,200$99,600,000$1,585,200$61,238,555
 Total capital expense to be voted$313,507,600$277,726,800$35,780,800$234,259,455
 Statutory appropriations$6,700,100$7,060,600($360,500)$6,769,400
 Ministry total capital expense$320,207,700$284,787,400$35,420,300$241,028,855
 Consolidation adjustment - Colleges$312,790,000$285,056,900$27,733,100$280,178,058
 Consolidation adjustment - Hospitals($23,336,400)($33,028,600)$9,692,200($11,142,451)
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$609,661,300$536,815,700$72,845,600$510,064,462

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)$10,783,087,314$10,677,909,014$105,178,300$9,825,722,383

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expense

2021-22
Estimates

2020-21
Actual

Total operating expense previously published footnote 1$6,702,235,014$6,322,354,669
Government reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other Ministries

-($798,401)
Restated total operating expense$6,702,235,014$6,321,556,268

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
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Ministry administration$15,021,000$15,126,600($105,600)$15,697,648
 Total operating expense to be voted$15,021,000$15,126,600($105,600)$15,697,648
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$15,086,014$15,191,614($105,600)$15,763,616

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

 $173,100
 

Services

 $6,643,300
 

Supplies and equipment

 $71,100
 Total operating expense to be voted $15,021,000
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,926,600 
 

Employee benefits

$489,000 
 

Transportation and communication

$173,100 
 

Services

$345,700 
 

Supplies and equipment

$71,100$4,005,500
 Financial and Administrative Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,545,900 
 

Employee benefits

$194,800 
 

Services

$3,124,600$4,865,300
 Human resources  
 

Services

$991,200$991,200
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

$2,694,200 
 

Employee benefits

$283,000 
 

Services

$495,000$3,472,200
 Legal services  
 

Services

$1,529,200$1,529,200
 Information systems  
 

Services

$157,600$157,600
 Total operating expense to be voted $15,021,000
 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 $15,086,014

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 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 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
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Colleges, Universities and Student Support$6,460,412,500$6,440,990,700$19,421,800$6,063,648,786
 Total operating expense to be voted$6,460,412,500$6,440,990,700$19,421,800$6,063,648,786
SBad debt expenses for Defaulted Student Loans, the Financial Administration Act$54,540,000$54,540,000-$54,540,048
STraining Completion Assurance Fund, the Private Career Colleges Act$1,000$1,000-$2,255,986
SBad debt expenses for Private Career Colleges, the Financial Administration Act$500,000$500,000--
 Total statutory appropriations$55,041,000$55,041,000-$56,796,034
 Total operating expense$6,515,453,500$6,496,031,700$19,421,800$6,120,444,820

Operating assets

4Colleges, Universities and Student Support$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807
 Total operating assets to be voted$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807
 Total operating assets$352,500,000$422,500,000($70,000,000)$197,638,807

Capital expense

3Support for Postsecondary Education$212,322,400$178,126,800$34,195,600$173,020,900
 Total capital expense to be voted$212,322,400$178,126,800$34,195,600$173,020,900
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$6,700,100$7,060,600($360,500)$6,769,400
 Total statutory appropriations$6,700,100$7,060,600($360,500)$6,769,400
 Total capital expense$219,022,500$185,187,400$33,835,100$179,790,300

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

 $1,117,400
 

Services

 $27,680,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $1,624,300
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Grants for Indigenous Institute Operating Costs

$30,152,800 
 

Grants for College Operating Costs

$1,440,016,300 
 

Grants for University Operating Costs

$3,585,980,200 
 

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

$748,200 
 

Postsecondary Transformation

$13,600,000 
 

Student Financial Assistance Programs

$1,332,991,900$6,403,489,400
 Subtotal $6,460,613,500
 Less: recoveries $201,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $6,460,412,500
 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 $6,515,453,500

Operating assets

3002-4Colleges, Universities and Student Support  
 

Loans and Investments

  
 

Student Loans

$352,000,000 
 

Defaulted Student Loans

$500,000$352,500,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $352,500,000
 Total operating assets for Postsecondary Education Program $352,500,000

Capital expense

3002-3Support for Postsecondary Education  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Capital Grants - Indigenous Institutes

$1,500,000 
 

Capital Grants - Colleges

$75,369,700 
 

Capital Grants - Universities

$135,451,700$212,321,400
 

Other transactions

 $1,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $212,322,400
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

 $6,700,100
 Total capital expense for Postsecondary Education Program $219,022,500

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, 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 and 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 numberItem

Estimates
2022-23

Estimates
2021-22

Difference
between
2022-23
and
2021-22

Actual
2020-21

Operating expense

1Research support operating expense$210,688,900$191,011,700$19,677,200$185,347,832
 Total operating expense to be voted$210,688,900$191,011,700$19,677,200$185,347,832
 Total operating expense$210,688,900$191,011,700$19,677,200$185,347,832

Capital expense

3Research support capital expense$101,185,200$99,600,000$1,585,200$61,238,555
 Total capital expense to be voted$101,185,200$99,600,000$1,585,200$61,238,555
 Total capital expense$101,185,200$99,600,000$1,585,200$61,238,555

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount

Operating expense

3005-1Research support operating expense  
 

Salaries and wages

 $5,390,200
 

Employee benefits

 $883,700
 

Transportation and communication

 $156,000
 

Services

 $3,781,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $149,400
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Intellectual Property Ontario

$7,228,700 
 

Research operating costs

$193,099,400$200,328,100
 Total operating expense to be voted $210,688,900
 Total operating expense for Research Program $210,688,900

Capital expense

3005-3Research support capital expense  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Ontario Research Fund - Research Infrastructure

 $101,185,200
 Total capital expense to be voted $101,185,200
 Total capital expense for Research Program $101,185,200