Summary

The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security 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 in-demand jobs in key industries, 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 build a stronger, more resilient economy, while protecting its valuable intellectual property and security interest.

Ministry Program Summary

Operating expense
VoteProgramEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
3001Ministry Administration Program16,124,10015,682,300441,80015,820,553
3002Postsecondary Education Program7,450,170,3006,880,979,200569,191,1006,590,225,428
3005Research Program186,304,600176,396,6009,908,000176,199,650
 Total operating expense to be voted7,652,599,0007,073,058,100579,540,9006,782,245,631
 Statutory appropriations56,356,01456,456,014(100,000)39,663,670
 Ministry total operating expense7,708,955,0147,129,514,114579,440,9006,821,909,301
 Consolidation adjustment — Colleges4,582,526,6004,470,275,600112,251,0005,846,415,870
 Operating expense adjustment — Student Assistance Interest Expense Reclassification(48,979,900)(48,979,900)-(23,851,136)
 Consolidation adjustment — Hospitals(3,123,200)(5,651,500)2,528,300(9,864,584)
 Consolidation adjustment — Children’s Aid Societies(999,800)(1,600,000)600,200(727,238)
 Other adjustments — Bill 124---(780,759)
 Consolidation adjustment — General Real Estate Portfolio(820,400)(683,000)(137,400)(884,101)
 Total including consolidation & Other adjustments12,237,558,31411,542,875,314694,683,00012,632,217,353
Operating assets
VoteProgramEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
3002Postsecondary Education Program632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
 Total operating assets to be voted632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
 Ministry total operating assets632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
Capital expense
VoteProgramEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
3002Postsecondary Education Program281,391,000245,980,90035,410,100211,663,928
3005Research Program159,578,900105,168,80054,410,10099,599,100
 Total capital expense to be voted440,969,900351,149,70089,820,200311,263,028
 Statutory appropriations959,600959,600-824,713
 Ministry total capital expense441,929,500352,109,30089,820,200312,087,741
 Consolidation adjustment — Colleges338,136,400331,290,8006,845,600313,259,780
 Consolidation adjustment — Hospitals(30,916,000)(13,027,800)(17,888,200)(5,050,017)
 Consolidation adjustment — General Real Estate Portfolio(496,300)-(496,300)-
 Total Including Consolidation & Other Adjustments748,653,600670,372,30078,281,300620,297,504
Capital assets
VoteProgramEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
3002Postsecondary Education Program3,501,0003,501,000--
 Total capital assets to be voted3,501,0003,501,000--
 Ministry total capital assets3,501,0003,501,000--
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)12,986,211,91412,213,247,614772,964,30013,252,514,857

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating ExpenseEstimates
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
Total operating expense previously publishedfootnote 17,105,330,5146,803,896,824
Government reorganization  
Transfer of functions from other ministries24,183,60018,012,477
Restated total operating expense7,129,514,1146,821,909,301

Ministry Administration Program — Vote 3001

The Ministry Administration Program provides overall direction to enable the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to meet its objectives. It delivers administrative and support services, including communications, corporate coordination, finance, human resources, legal services, and information technology, to support the ministry’s operational programs.

Vote summary

Operating expense
Item numberItemEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
1Ministry administration16,124,10015,682,300441,80015,820,553
 Total operating expense to be voted16,124,10015,682,300441,80015,820,553
SMinister's salary, the Executive Council Act47,84147,841-49,301
SParliamentary assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act16,17316,173-16,667
SBad debt expenses for administrative costs, the Financial Administration Act1,0001,000--
 Total statutory appropriations65,01465,014-65,968
 Total operating expense16,189,11415,747,314441,80015,886,521

Standard account by item and sub-items

Operating expense
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $
3001-1Ministry administration  
 

Salaries and wages

 9,242,400
 

Employee benefits

 1,059,400
 

Transportation and communication

 175,200
 

Services

 5,575,600
 

Supplies and equipment

 71,500
 Total operating expense to be voted 16,124,100
 Sub-Items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

2,727,300 
 

Employee benefits

453,900 
 

Transportation and communication

175,200 
 

Services

304,700 
 

Supplies and equipment

71,5003,732,600
 Financial and administrative services  
 

Salaries and wages

2,798,900 
 

Employee benefits

194,800 
 

Services

2,892,0005,885,700
 Human resources  
 

Salaries and wages

957,100 
 

Employee benefits

127,700 
 

Services

200,2001,285,000
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

2,759,100 
 

Employee benefits

283,000 
 

Services

495,5003,537,600
 Legal services  
 

Services

1,530,2001,530,200
 Information systems  
 

Services

153,000153,000
 Total operating expense to be voted 16,124,100
 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 16,189,114

Postsecondary Education Program — Vote 3002

The Postsecondary Education (PSE) program supports institutions and students in creating an innovative, accessible, financially sustainable and responsive PSE system in Ontario. It develops and implements strategic and operational policies and provides financial support to postsecondary institutions and students. It also provides regulatory oversight and quality assurance for a range of postsecondary education programs and institutions and supports modern delivery channels enabled by technology. The program aligns with the government's social and economic policy objectives, aiming to provide opportunities for high-quality, innovative, responsive, and accessible postsecondary education.

Key programs and activities include developing policy, legislative, and funding frameworks; administering transfer payments to postsecondary institutions; managing financial and governance relationships with institutions, agencies and transfer payment organizations; managing accountability mechanisms, such as bilateral Strategic Mandate Agreements including the implementation of the performance-based funding model; supporting Indigenous and Francophone learners; regulating public colleges in accordance with applicable statutes; providing quality assurance to public colleges and out-of-province and private institutions seeking to offer degrees in Ontario; and developing vocational learning outcomes for non-degree programs.

The ministry 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, the ministry provides bursaries, scholarships, aid and incentive programs including the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant.

Through the Office of the Superintendent of Career Colleges, the ministry regulates career colleges, ensuring student protection and program quality and administers the International Student Program, allowing institutions to accept international students.

The PSE program also oversees Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) and the implementation of related Intellectual Property (IP) initiatives to support the postsecondary education sector.

Vote summary

Operating expense
Item numberItemEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
1Colleges, universities and student support7,450,170,3006,880,979,200569,191,1006,590,225,428
 Total operating expense to be voted7,450,170,3006,880,979,200569,191,1006,590,225,428
SBad debt expenses for defaulted student loans, the Financial Administration Act54,540,00054,540,000-38,945,064
SBad debt expenses for colleges and universities, the Financial Administration Act1,250,0001,350,000(100,000)-
SBad debt expenses for career colleges, the Financial Administration Act500,000500,000-400,000
STraining completion assurance fund, the Ontario Career Colleges Act1,0001,000-252,638
 Total statutory appropriations56,291,00056,391,000(100,000)39,597,702
 Total operating expense7,506,461,3006,937,370,200569,091,1006,629,823,130
Operating assets
Item numberItemEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
4Colleges, universities and student support632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
 Total operating assets to be voted632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
 Total operating assets632,077,000482,400,000149,677,000300,108,412
Capital expense
Item numberItemEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
3Support for postsecondary education281,391,000245,980,90035,410,100211,663,928
 Total capital expense to be voted281,391,000245,980,90035,410,100211,663,928
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act959,600959,600-824,713
 Total statutory appropriations959,600959,600-824,713
 Total capital expense282,350,600246,940,50035,410,100212,488,641
Capital assets
Item numberItemEstimates
2025-26 $		Estimates
2024-25 $		Difference
Between
2025-26
and
2024-25 $		Actual
2023-24 $
6Colleges, universities and student support3,501,0003,501,000--
 Total capital assets to be voted3,501,0003,501,000--
 Total capital assets3,501,0003,501,000--

Standard account by item and sub-items

Operating expense
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $
3002-1Colleges, universities and student support  
 

Salaries and wages

 29,136,000
 

Employee benefits

 3,875,300
 

Transportation and communication

 499,300
 

Services

 25,741,800
 

Supplies and equipment

 1,377,500
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Grants for indigenous institute operating costs

31,352,800 
 

Intellectual Property Ontario

27,867,200 
 

Grants for college operating costs

1,613,550,900 
 

Grants for university operating costs

4,179,118,300 
 

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada

748,200 
 

Postsecondary transformation

13,600,000 
 

Student financial assistance programs

1,523,504,0007,389,741,400
 Subtotal 7,450,371,300
 Less: Recoveries 201,000
 Total operating expense to be voted 7,450,170,300
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for defaulted student loans, the Financial Administration Act

 54,540,000
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt Expenses for colleges and universities, the Financial Administration Act

 1,250,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad debt expenses for career colleges, the Financial Administration Act

 500,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Training completion assurance Fund, the Ontario Career Colleges Act

 1,000
 Total operating expense for postsecondary education program 7,506,461,300
Operating assets
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $
3002-4Colleges, universities and student support  
 

Loans and investments

  
 

Student loans

631,577,000 
 

Defaulted student loans

500,000632,077,000
 Total operating assets to be voted 632,077,000
 Total operating assets for postsecondary education program 632,077,000
Capital expense
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $
3002-3Support for postsecondary education  
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Capital grants — Indigenous Institutes

2,500,000 
 

Capital grants — colleges

145,086,300 
 

Capital grants — universities

133,803,700281,390,000
 

Other transactions

 1,000
 Total capital expense to be voted 281,391,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

 959,600
 Total capital expense for postsecondary education program 282,350,600
Capital assets
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $Amount $
3002-6Colleges, universities and student support  
 

Business application software — asset costs

 3,501,000
 Total capital assets to be voted 3,501,000
 Total capital assets for postsecondary education program 3,501,000

Research Program — Vote 3005

The Research Program supports a strong 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 at publicly-funded institutions across Ontario. This program leverages federal funding, promotes translational and focused research in specific areas, supports talent development, and fosters global research and development collaborations with other jurisdictions. It also implements policies and practices on research security to ensure that publicly-funded research supports Ontario’s and Canada’s vital security interests.

Vote summary

Operating expense
Item numberItemEstimates
2025–26 $		Estimates
2024–25 $		Difference
Between
2025–26
and
2024–25 $		Actual
2023–24 $
1Research Support Operating Expense186,304,600176,396,6009,908,000176,199,650
 Total operating expense to be voted186,304,600176,396,6009,908,000176,199,650
 Total operating expense186,304,600176,396,6009,908,000176,199,650
Capital expense
Item numberItemEstimates
2025–26 $		Estimates
2024–25 $		Difference
Between
2025–26
and
2024–25 $		Actual
2023–24 $
3Research Support Capital Expense159,578,900105,168,80054,410,10099,599,100
 Total capital expense to be voted159,578,900105,168,80054,410,10099,599,100
 Total capital expense159,578,900105,168,80054,410,10099,599,100

Standard account by item and sub-items

Operating expense
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $
3005-1Research Support Operating Expense 
 

Salaries and wages

3,189,100
 

Employee benefits

399,400
 

Transportation and communication

16,500
 

Services

248,000
 

Supplies and Equipment

15,400
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Research Operating Costs

182,436,200
 Total operating expense to be voted186,304,600
 Total operating expense for Research program186,304,600
Capital expense
Vote-
item
number		Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount $
3005-3Research Support Capital Expense 
 

Transfer payments

 
 

Ontario Research Fund — Research Infrastructure

159,578,900
 Total capital expense to be voted159,578,900
 Total capital expense for Research Program159,578,900