January 20, 2015 – Premier Kathleen Wynne Wraps up 10-day Tour of Colleges and Universities.

Tuition grants, OSAP, Second Career Ontario programs and improving mental health services for postsecondary students were among the main issues students raised with Premier Kathleen Wynne during her tour of Ontario colleges and universities.

Matt Stewart, President, College Student Alliance, said that the Alliance was happy to have had Premier Wynne meet with students and announce mental health investments to postsecondary education in Ontario. This was a great way for Ontario students to meet and discuss important issues such as OSAP and Second Career Ontario with Premier Wynne, as these student voices are vital to further grow postsecondary education in Ontario.

Premier Wynne wrapped up the 10-day tour on January 19, 2015. In addition to visiting several classrooms and student centres, and taking part in a town hall meeting with students, Premier Wynne participated in a roundtable meeting on campus sexual violence with the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. She also announced funding for 14 projects to help more postsecondary students get access to mental health services faster.

This school year, Ontario’s 30% Off Tuition grant will help about 230,000 college and university students save up to $1,780 in tuition for degree programs and $820 for diploma and certificate programs. The province has indexed Ontario maximum student aid levels annually to inflation, starting with the 2015-16 school year.

“Ontario’s colleges and universities offer our young people life-changing opportunities. With an education, you can go anywhere and do anything. I am so impressed with the way our postsecondary students are engaging in their communities, and I am inspired by their hope and optimism. They are not the leaders of tomorrow – they are leaders today,” announced Premier Wynne in her speech.

During the tour, Premier Wynne visited colleges and universities in Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Waterloo Region, Toronto, Mississauga, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and Kingston. Ontario has 44 colleges and universities.