ONDP answers – to OCUFA Provincial Party Platform Survey What is your party’s vision for post-pandemic recovery in Ontario and what supports will you be providing to universities as engines of research, innovation, and education in the

ONDP answers – to OCUFA Provincial Party Platform Survey What is your party’s vision for post-pandemic recovery in Ontario and what supports will you be providing to universities as engines of research, innovation, and education in the province? The Ontario NDP has vision for a post-pandemic recovery that revitalizes Ontario’s economy while addressing the climate crisis, and where post-secondary i. [...] Will your party commit to increased investments to bring core provincial funding for Ontario universities up to the national average, or greater, to create the postsecondary sector Ontarians deserve? Through our find-and-fix audit, we are committed to reviewing funding for the sector and ensuring that universities have the funding they need to support excellence in teaching and research. [...] Will your party commit to meaningful increases to the Northern and Bilingual grants in recognition of the important mandate of northern and bilingual institutions and the particular challenges they face? In our role as official opposition, and with seven MPPs from Northern Ontario, New Democrats understand the necessity and value of providing funding for Northern Ontario Universities. [...] Will your party commit to an increase in special purpose funding, particularly for Indigenous programming and supports? Yes, we are committed to increasing funding in line with OCUFA’s recommended commitment of $1.5 million in Indigenous Education and training to offset inflation. [...] Will your party reverse the cuts to OSAP and respond to calls from student groups to convert student loans to grants and address the student debt crisis? Yes, New Democrats will reverse Doug Fords cuts to OSAP, reinvest in OSAP, and work towards making sure all students graduate debt-free by converting loans to grants.