Degree Authority in Ontario


Minister's Review of The Post-Secondary Education Choice And Excellence Act, 2000

The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities has decided to undertake an internal review of the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000 (the PSECE Act). This government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians have access to an affordable, high quality education. At the government's request, the Honourable Bob Rae conducted a review of postsecondary education in Ontario. Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Plan for Post-Secondary Education responds to the recommendations of that review. Reaching Higher will provide a cumulative investment of $6.2 billion in Ontario's postsecondary education and training system by 2009-10 with the expectation that this investment will result in more access, higher quality and better accountability.

In addition, the government recently introduced new legislation governing the private career college sector. The new Private Career Colleges Act will provide greater student protection by enhancing the regulation of private career colleges that offer vocational training, and provide for a more rigorous process for approving programs against standards and performance objectives.

It is now both timely and appropriate to ensure that the PSECE Act fits properly and completely within the new, enhanced postsecondary framework for Ontario. For example, does the process whereby private and public out-of-province organizations obtain the right to grant degrees in Ontario address all of the quality and access issues comprehensively, are there gaps in the framework, and is the public's investment in its public institutions being protected?

To address these and other questions, we are undertaking a review of the PSECE Act. If this review raises issues, there will be a more formal approach taken to address the issues and obtain input on them.