Published Results-Based Plan 2007/08
Table of Contents
Ministry Overview
Appendix
Previous Plans and Annual Reports
Vision, Mandate, Priorities and Results
Ministry Vision
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is committed to developing the best workforce in North America to ensure a competitive advantage in the knowledge economy by creating accessible, high quality learning opportunities and systems with enhanced accountability.
Ministry Mandate
Education and skills are the foundations of Ontario's future growth and prosperity. The government of Ontario sees a skilled and adaptive workforce as the cornerstone of its economic strategy to attract investment, create strong and competitive industries, and ensure that Ontario remains competitive in the world marketplace.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities directs and shapes Ontario's postsecondary education and training systems. It provides operating and capital funding to publicly assisted colleges and universities, establishes provincial objectives for the use of public funds and designs frameworks for achieving these objectives.
The ministry ensures high-quality postsecondary education is accessible to all qualified candidates through tuition regulation, student assistance, targeted funding and accountability mechanisms.
In the area of training, the ministry develops policy directions for adult education and labour market training, sets standards for occupational training such as trade certification and apprenticeships, manages provincial programs for workplace training and preparation including adult literacy and basic skills, and undertakes labour market research and planning.
Ministry Priorities, Results And Strategies
Priorities and Results
- The ministry supports its vision and the government's priorities of Strong People, Strong Economy and Success for Students, through two key strategies: Employment Ontario and Reaching Higher.
- Combining transferred federal and existing provincial skills development and training support programs, Employment Ontario provides opportunities for young people, jobseekers, newcomers and employers to play their part in Ontario's burgeoning knowledge-based economy.
- The ministry is improving and restructuring postsecondary education in Ontario to create a system that is accessible, relevant and in tune with the needs of students and opportunities in the evolving economy. Reaching Higher improves access and quality in postsecondary education and better facilities — and postsecondary institutions will be held accountable for accomplishing these objectives.
Employment Ontario
Strategies
In its 2004 Provincial Budget, the government committed to “transform the training and apprenticeship system by creating a one-stop training and employment system to better serve apprentices, immigrants, unemployed individuals and youth in transition from school to work”.
To fulfill this commitment, the ministry did extensive work to refocus its own services and, at the same time, negotiated the transfer of federal labour market and training services to the province.
The province's integrated network of training and employment services was launched in November 2006. Employment Ontario lets Ontarians access relevant labour market and training information through in-person, on-line or telephone channels. It is also a referral service to help people find the nearest location where their needs can be assessed and appropriate employment or training services identified.
As a result of negotiations with the federal government, on January 1, 2007, seven federal government programs and the staff to deliver them were transferred to Ontario.
Through Employment Ontario, the ministry has significantly improved access to training and employment services in communities throughout Ontario. This regionally based client-focused organization is able to respond quickly and effectively to evolving needs of clients and the labour market.
Activities
The ministry reorganized its Labour Market and Training Division and revamped its field office structure to accommodate 63 transferring federal government sites and 670 transferring federal staff positions. The ministry now provides Employment Ontario services in 900 locations, and through more than 1200 partner organizations.
While building the new Employment Ontario system, the ministry continues to:
- Invest in Employment Ontario's apprenticeship programming and work toward realizing the ministry's long-term goal of registering 26,000 new apprentices.
- Invest $135 million in job services to link employers with both youth and adults and establish three new centres with a special focus on helping newcomers.
- Invest nearly $70 million in literacy and academic upgrading programs.
Contributions to priorities and results
Through Employment Ontario, employers, jobseekers, young people and newcomers to Ontario can more easily find the career advancement training they need for future success.
People receiving Employment Insurance or eligible for programs funded by Employment Insurance can now benefit from Employment Ontario's partnerships with the postsecondary education system, employers, labour groups and community organizations.
In 2006-07, 80 per cent of the ministry's Job Connect clients obtained employment or went on to further education or training.
Employment Ontario makes it easier for businesses to find skilled workers, helps workers obtain academic upgrading and skills training, and gives more options for people who are unemployed to find a better future.
For 2007-08, the ministry will:
- Continue implementing its integrated training and employment system – addressing a rapid global economic transformation that is putting pressure on our capacity to adjust and support growth of new industries and sectors.
- Harmonize provincial and federal training programs to ensure the most effective use of resources, improving program design and avoid duplication.
- Continue to redefine the ministry's delivery of effective training and employment programs that encourage investment and create jobs.
- Continue to encourage the federal government to do its part to support a highly skilled workforce.
Creating seamless customer service will remove barriers to learning, strengthen links to employment and provide timely support and opportunities for all Ontarians.
Reaching Higher
Strategies
Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education was unveiled in the 2005 Provincial Budget with an historic multi-year investment in postsecondary education, the most significant in 40 years. The cumulative increase in provincial spending for postsecondary education will total $6.2 billion over the 2004-05 funding base by 2009-10.
Through Reaching Higher, the people of Ontario will see improved access and quality in postsecondary education and better facilities, along with more accountability for colleges and universities to achieve these objectives.
Reaching Higher activities in 2006/07 have brought measurable gains in access, quality and accountability to Ontario's postsecondary system. These include:
Access
- Delivering further enhancements to student aid for 2006-07 including:
- investing an additional $1.5 billion by 2009-10 to make postsecondary education more affordable for low- and middle-income families. The improvements to student aid in 2006-07 are expected to benefit about 145,000 students.
- expanding the access grant eligibility to include about 60,000 students from families with incomes of up to about $75,000;
- introducing a Student Access Guarantee to ensure that every qualified Ontario student in need has access to the resources they need to pay for their tuition, books and mandatory fees, through government and institutional aid programs;
- implementing the OSAP Access Window website to allow students to identify the OSAP assistance they can receive for the program of their choice.
- A fully regulated tuition framework, tied to improvements in access, limits tuition increases to an average of $100 per year for college students and $200 per year for university students. For each additional dollar invested by students in their education, the government is investing three.
- Starting in 2006/7, committing $170 million for enrolment growth funding to support both undergraduate enrolment growth ($100 million) and graduate expansion ($70 million).
- Committing to invest up to $55M by 2009-10 to increase opportunities for Aboriginal peoples, francophones, persons with disabilities, and persons who are the first in their family to attend postsecondary education. This funding is being used to develop and deliver services that promote access and improve success in postsecondary studies. The government has invested over $25 million in new funding to these groups over the past 2 years (2005-06 to 2006-07) to increase postsecondary opportunities.
Quality
- Increasing operating grants by about $700 million over 2004-05 base levels for colleges and universities to hire more faculty and staff, buy educational resources and technology, and improve student support services.
- In 2006-07, investing $82.7 million in small, northern and rural colleges and universities in addition to regular operating grant funding. This includes $65.3 million for colleges, which will increase to $70.4 million in 2008-09, and $44.3 million for northern universities.
- Investing an additional $1 million in 2006-07 to assist in the internationalization of Ontario's postsecondary education system and to ensure that Ontario remains competitive in an increasingly globalized environment.
- Investing in infrastructure, through ReNew Ontario, the government's five-year Plan, to support the Reaching Higher Plan. This includes:
- $550 million for the expansion of 14,000 university graduate school spaces by 2009-10;
- $50 million to support the creation of new undergraduate medical campuses in four communities, Mississauga, St. Catharines, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Windsor.
- $570 million to renew university and college facilities and buy new equipment at colleges.
Accountability
- Providing three-year multi-year funding for colleges and universities, and introducing an interim three-year funding framework (2006-07 to 2008-09) that will provide stable and predictable funding to colleges.
- Multi-year agreements commit colleges and universities to system-wide and institution-specific outcomes to ensure that funding is focused on the government's key priorities– quality, accessibility and accountability.
- Establishing the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario to monitor and report on performance measurement, and guide the postsecondary education system toward improved quality. HEQCO will also monitor and make recommendations on the Student Access Guarantee.
Contributions to Priorities and Results
Reaching Higher, The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education, will promote a strong, competitive economy based on a highly skilled work force resulting in individual prosperity and world-class outcomes.
The Reaching Higher Plan has already achieved results, including:
- 120,000 students qualifying for grants, including 60,000 new upfront tuition grants;
- A 27 per cent increase in maximum student assistance levels, while still limiting student debt for qualified students to $7,000 a year;
- Breaking down barriers for first generation students, Aboriginal students, persons with disabilities and francophones; and
- More professors, better equipment and improved student support services.
Reaching Higher is ensuring that the postsecondary system is both s ustainable and accessible through the Student Access Guarantee. That means that every qualified student in need has access to the resources they need to pay for their tuition, books and mandatory fees through government and institutional aid programs.
In order to ensure that Ontarians see results, the ministry is improving the ability of institutions to measure and report their performance in improving quality and access.
The Reaching Higher Plan represents $6.2 billion in new investments in postsecondary education and training by 2009-10 -- the most significant multi-year investment in Ontario's higher education system in 40 years.
The ministry will continue to move forward on enhancements for postsecondary education to improve quality, broaden access and achieve greater accountability.
These include:
- Making the Student Access Guarantee part of Ontario's multi-year agreements with colleges and universities
- Adding 12,000 graduate student spaces by 2007-08 and 14,000 by 2009-10, a 55 per cent increase over 2002-03 levels, and providing $240 million by 2007-08 to support the addition of new graduate students.
- Developing a comprehensive internationalization strategy, including an international exchange program for Ontario students as well as a marketing campaign targeting prospective international students.
- Releasing the first report of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. HEQCO will undertake research on quality, participation, and access, as well as provide advice to the government on the best way to measure performance and institutional collaboration.
Performance Measures
Reaching Higher
- Increase enrolment in postsecondary education by 86,000
One-Stop Training and Employment System
- Increase the number of new apprenticeship registration by 7,000 to a total of 26,000 annually in 2007-08
- 80% of Job Connect program clients will obtain employment or go on to further education/training
- 70% of literacy program clients obtain employment or go on to further education or training
Ministry Organization Chart (PDF, 56 KB)
Legislation
Acts
Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.22, as amended
Colleges Collective Bargaining Act, R.S.O. 1990. c.C. 15, as amended
Higher Education Quality Council Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.28, Sched G
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.19, as amended
Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. F, as amended
Ontario College of Art & Design Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. E, as amended
Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 36, as amended
Private Career Colleges Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 28, Schedule L
Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.T.17, as amended
University Expropriation Powers Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. U.3, as amended
University Foundations Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c.22, as amended
University of Ontario Institute of Technology Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 8, Sched. O, as amended
Note :
- The list does not include unconsolidated university Acts and private Acts, which may be relevant to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; nor does it include Acts that are purely amending Acts.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)
| Agencies, Boards and Commissions |
2007-08 Expense Estimates |
2007-08 Revenue Estimates |
2006-07 Interim Actuals |
2006-07 Revenue Interim Actuals |
| The College Compensation and Appointments Council |
629,700 |
- |
658,239 |
- |
| Higher Education Quality Council (HEQCO) |
5,000,000 |
- |
2,750,000 |
- |
| Ontario Student Assistance Appeal Board |
17,000 |
- |
16,809 |
- |
| Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board |
855,200 |
100,000 |
673,121 |
130,752 |
| Provincial Advisory Committees (and Industry Committees) on Skilled Trades |
850,000 |
- |
757,280 |
- |
| Selection Board (Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program) |
8,500 |
- |
7,395 |
- |
| Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF) |
80,000 |
- |
N/A |
- |
The College Compensation and Appointments Council is responsible for collective bargaining, Board appointments and other duties as may be assigned to it by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario , established in 2006, has a broad mandate to ensure continued improvement of the postsecondary education system by monitoring quality in the sector, access to postsecondary education and accountability of postsecondary educational institutions. The Council will monitor and report on performance measures, as well as conduct research and provide guidance on improved quality in the postsecondary education system.
The Ontario Student Assistance Appeal Board receives appeals from OSAP applicants and makes recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on their eligibility for financial aid from the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
The Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board makes recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on applications to offer degree programs from new and existing private Ontario degree-granting institutions, out-of-province institutions, Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and all others not authorized to award degrees by an Ontario statute.
Provincial Advisory Committees (and Industry Committees) provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities concerning apprenticeship programs and the qualifications required for trades and other occupations.
Selection Board (Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program) provides advice and recommendations to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities concerning the policies and administration of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship program and selects successful candidates for funding under the program.
The Training Completion Assurance Fund Advisory Board (TCAF), established in 2006, is to provide advice to the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges (PCC) on the administration of the Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF), including financial administration of the fund; criteria for assessing financial viability of private career colleges; general guidelines for responding to PCC closures; and responses to specific PCC closures.
Ministry Financial Information
All Ministry resources are in support of achieving the two strategies – Reaching Higher and Employment Ontario. The chart below shows how the total operating and capital expenses, including consolidations are allocated by the key activities of the ministry.
Investment Key Activities
Ministry Planned Expenditures
Ministry Planned Expenditures 2007/08 ($M)
| Operating |
5,888.9 |
| Capital |
187.6 |
| TOTAL |
6,076.5 |
Note:
Total amounts include Statutory Appropriations
Operating Assets not included
Consolidations are not included in 2007-08 RbP Briefing Book, they show only in Printed Estimates
Operating and Capital Summary by Vote
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is committed to developing the best workforce in North America to ensure a competitive advantage in the knowledge economy by creating accessible and high quality learning opportunities and systems with enhanced accountability.
Operating and Capital Summary by Vote
Click here to view the complete table
Note: Amounts for 2005-06 have been restated to reflect the transfer of TVOntario to the Ministry of Education and the transfer of Bridge Training for Internationally Trained Professionals Tradespersons to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Appendix
2005/06 Annual Report
Postsecondary Education
The 2005 budget announced the multi-year $6.2 billion Reaching Higher Plan to promote a strong, competitive economy based on a highly skilled work force resulting in individual prosperity and world-class outcomes. Results were achieved under three components: more access to colleges and universities; higher quality education; and better accountability for the government's investments.
The ministry's initiatives for 2005-2006 included:
More Access
- Ontario invested up to $192 million in improvements to student assistance in 2005-06, growing up to $358 million by 2009-10 to promote access and opportunity for low and middle-income students.
- Students accessed more loans without an increase in their annual maximum repayable debt. The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant program continued to limit students' annual repayable debt to $7,000 per academic year.
- In 2005-06, the government invested $10.2 million which will grow to $55 million in 2009-10 to assist colleges and universities with outreach and support to Francophones, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and first generation students (those who are the first in their families to undertake postsecondary education and training).
- The ministry increased base funding by $82.3 million in 2005-06 to support enrolment growth in colleges ($9.6 million) and universities ($72.7 million).
- In 2005-06, graduate students benefited from the new Ontario Graduate Fellowships. The Budget announced that the province had created $100 million in endowments at Ontario universities to fund these fellowships.
- The Reaching Higher Plan included a massive expansion of graduate education with an investment of $220 million annually by 2009-10 to expand graduate education by 14,000.
- The 2005 Budget announced $95 million by 2009-10 to support Ontario's postsecondary institutions in the delivery of high-quality health sciences programs and the expansion of the number of spaces at medical schools by 23 per cent.
- The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) opened its doors to the first 56 undergraduate students in September 2005. In 2005-06, the government provided $17.8 million in start-up, planning and transition funding to further support the successful launch of the new Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Higher Quality Education
- TCU provided $10 million more in 2005-06, which will grow to $20 million by 2007-08 on an annual basis to support small, northern and rural colleges.
- The budget announced an additional $5 million investment by 2009-10 to assist in the internationalization of Ontario's postsecondary education system and to ensure that Ontario remains competitive in an increasingly globalized environment.
- The Ontario government provided new funding which will total $200 million over the next five years to help reverse the deterioration of postsecondary infrastructure.
Better Accountability
TCU worked with college partners in 2005-06 to develop a new common funding framework for 2006-07 to provide predictable and stable funding that is fairly distributed and which achieves the results Ontarians want for an accessible, high-quality postsecondary system.
- Bilateral performance agreements were negotiated with colleges and universities to improve accountability. Interim Accountability Agreements were put into place for 2005-06 as a bridge to multi-year agreements for future years.
Labour Market And Training
- In 2005-06 the ministry signed historic Labour Market Development and Labour Market Partnership Agreements with the federal government. These two agreements allowed the ministry to plan to integrate labour market programs in Ontario and expand programs to provide more training, apprenticeship and labour market services.
- The 2005 Budget proposed the One-Stop Training and Employment System to increase registrationsby providing a clear pathway into apprenticeship, increasing the focus on employer outreach and recruitment, as well as improving apprenticeship completion rates.
- Under the Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund Program, the ministry awarded $10 million to community colleges in 2005-06.
- In 2005-06, $8.3 million was allocated for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and 20,500 student placements were projected.
- The 2005 Ontario Budget announced $15 million annually by 2007-08 to expand academic upgrading options for those who left high school early but want to now pursue the skilled trades and projected 6,000 participants.
Supporting Government Key Commitments, Priorities And Results
The Reaching Higher plan supported the government's priority of Success for Students through:
- Providing $358 million in new investment in student financial assistance by 2009-10, which is more than double the base funding provided in 2004-05;
- Significantly increasing enrolments in colleges and universities;
- Increasing faculty at colleges and universities to accommodate higher enrolment and improve student success;
- Working with postsecondary institutions to ensure that the student experience is enhanced; and
- Improving pathways for students and increasing collaboration between Ontario colleges and universities.
Additionally, the government priority of Better Health was supported by an investment of $95 million in new funding for the delivery of high quality health sciences programs and improved quality of medical education and piloted a new community-based nursing education program in Northern Ontario , and the expansion of new first-year medical education.
Support for the priority of Strong People, Strong Economy featured initiatives which:
- I ncreased the number of apprenticeship registrations by 7,000 to a total of 26,000 annually in 2007-08.
- Implemented a new strategy to attract more international students and encourage study abroad for Ontario students.
Postsecondary programs produced almost a 7 per cent increase in enrolment from 2003-2004, with an estimated 464,706 students enrolled in postsecondary education for 2005-06.
The number of new apprenticeship registrations increased by 10 per cent during the same period to an estimated 21,100 for 2005-2006.
The Job Connect Program maintained a high success rate with an estimated 80 per cent of participants obtaining employment or going on to further education or training.
The Literacy and Basic Skills Program reached higher with an estimated 65 per cent of participants obtaining employment or going on to further education or training, an increase of 5 per cent over 2003-2004.
Key strategies such as Reaching Higher, One Stop Training and Employment and Job Connect contributed to the targeted increase in education and skills and a greater participation in postsecondary education and skills training.
2005/06 Ministry Expenditures
Ministry Expenditures
| |
Ministry Actual Expenditures 2005/06 ($M) |
| Operating |
4,659.2 |
| Capital |
132.9 |
Staff Strength
(as of March 31, 2006) |
661.1 |
Note: Amounts include Statutory Appropriations and Consolidations
2006/07 Annual Report
In 2006-07, TCU continued to deliver the multi-year $6.2 billion Reaching Higher Plan to improve the postsecondary education system and launched Employment Ontario to provide skills training services through one window access.
Postsecondary Education
Under the Reaching Higher Plan, TCU continued to deliver three commitments: higher quality education; more access to colleges and universities; and better accountability for the government's investments.
Higher Quality Education
Achievements linked to improved quality include:
- Provided three-year funding allocations for colleges and universities for the first time to help institutions to improve quality and accessibility.
- Increased funding to improve the quality of the student learning experience through more student interaction with faculty and enhanced student support services. During the three years covered by the multi-year agreements, operating grants will rise to $4.3 billion by 2008-09, an increase of $1 billion per year since the introduction of the Reaching Higher plan.
- Increased first year undergraduate medical spaces, the community based nursing pilot program and the improvement of the clinical experience of students in health sciences programs will strengthen health care professions, a key component of the Reaching Higher Plan.
- Invested $65.3 million in 2006-07 – an increase of $20 million since 2004-05 – to help small, northern and rural colleges provide high quality programs in their communities.
- Created the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) to support improved quality in the sector, access to postsecondary education and accountability of institutions. The ministry will work with postsecondary education stakeholders to ensure that students in Ontario receive the quality education they deserve and the Council will ensure continued improvement of the postsecondary education system.
- Invested $70 million in 2006-07 to help colleges and universities repair and maintain facilities. The Facilities Renewal Program allocated $40 million to colleges and universities and colleges received an additional $30 million through the government's Economic Stimulus investments.
- Invested $1 million to better market Ontario 's postsecondary education expertise to the world and help meet the global demand for higher education. This will establish connections and strengthen relationships around the world to enrich Ontario 's economy for the future.
More Access
Achievements linked to improved access include:
- Implemented a Student Access Guarantee that ensures that no qualified Ontario student in need will be prevented from attending Ontario's public colleges and universities due to lack of financial support programs.
- Full-time enrolment at colleges and universities has increased by about 86,000 students since 2002-03. Further enhancements to loans and grants have benefited 145,000 students in 2006-07.
- Increased the number of students qualifying for up front grants to 60,000 (up from approximately 32,000 in 2005-06) by increasing the income threshold from about $35,000 to $75,000 for a family with two children.
- Continued to limit annual repayable debt to $7,000 through the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant.
- Increased book and supply allowances in 2006-07 for the first time in more than 20 years, benefiting 138,000 students. Increased college and university operating grants by $736 million in 2006-07 over base funding in 2004-05; Invested $70 million to expand graduate education. Funding will grow to $220 million annually by 2009-10, resulting in 14,000 new spaces.
- Continued to invest $50 million each year through the Ontario Trust for Student Support to make postsecondary education more affordable and accessible.
- Invested $15 million in 2006-07 in new initiatives and outreach to offer expanded opportunities for Aboriginals, francophones, persons with disabilities and first generation students who are the first in their families to attend university or college.
- Implemented the OSAP Access Window website to allow students to identify costs and sources of financial aid for the institutions and program of their choice.
Better Accountability
Achievements linked to better accountability include:
- Signed three-year plans with all colleges and universities to ensure accountability for government investments.
- Creation of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) to improve access to postsecondary education and the accountability of institutions, as well as increase quality.
- Introduced a new Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 (PCCA) that enhances the regulation of the private career college sector and will improve quality and accountability at private career colleges. PCCA also established the Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF) to provide better protection against financial loss to private career college students or ensure their training can continue if the private career college fails.
Jobs And Skills Renewal Strategy
The 2006 Budget introduced a government-wide Jobs and Skills Renewal Strategy that expanded opportunities for people to achieve their potential through effective and relevant skills training and employment services. TCU supported the strategy by: Creating Employment Ontario to provide skills training services through a one-stop window, making it easier for people to find the services they need. Negotiating Canada-Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement and Canada-Ontario Labour Market Partnership Agreement with the federal government in November 2005. Supporting the strategy.
Employment Ontario is an integrated employment and training network that links Ontarians to the services they need in their communities. It provided seamless referrals between provincially funded and federal programs.
2006-07 achievements include:
- Continued work toward the goal of registering 26,000 new apprentices in 2007-2008.
- Expanded the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program in 2006 to increase access to apprenticeships.
- Recognized contributions by employers to apprenticeship training through the Minister's Apprenticeship Employer Awards.
- Invested in community-based agencies and colleges delivering Job Connect and the Literacy and Basic Skills Program to ensure a well-educated and trained workforce which has provided the economy with a clear competitive advantage.
Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA)
The Canada-Ontario LMDA was an agreement to transfer federal training and employment programs to Ontario , and it was the same as LMDAs negotiated with most provinces, including Quebec.
Under the Canada-Ontario LMDA, the provincial government receives about $525 million annually to provide employment programs and an additional $57 million annually for staff salaries and administration. The federal government committed to provide $25 million in one-time funding for the provincial government to develop information systems to support the transferred programs.
On January 1, 2007 , federal employees and programs transferred to the provincial government.
Canada-Ontario Labour Market Partnership Agreement(LMPA)
The LMPA is a six-year agreement, which could be renewed by mutual agreement of the two governments.
Under the LMPA, each government would administer initiatives under six priority areas for investment: (1) Expand and Enhance Apprenticeship; (2) Labour Market Integration of Recent Immigrants; (3) Literacy and Essential Skills; (4) Workplace Skills Development, (5) Aboriginal peoples; and (6) Assistance to others facing labour market barriers.
The LMPA would provide for new funding by the federal government to be spent in Ontario , growing to $314 million annually in 2009-10.
The federal government had agreed to transfer 50% of this funding to Ontario to administer (i.e., growing to $157 million in 2009-10 and in 2010-11). The other 50% (i.e., growing to $157M in 2009-10 and in 2010-11) would be spent in Ontario by the federal government on the six priorities.
Supporting Government Key Commitments, Priorities And Results
In 2006-2007, TCU continued to support the government priorities of Strong People, Strong Economy; Better Health; and Success for Students.
Strong People, Strong Economy
- On November 23, 2005 , the ministry signed an historic Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) and a Labour Market Partnership Agreement (LMPA) with the federal government. The LMDA integrated federal programs and services into the Employment Ontario network. The LMPA would allow the province to add to its range of training and employment programs and serve a broader range of clients.
- Employment Ontario delivered better job skills training and apprenticeship services for Ontarians. Employment Ontario has:
- Increased the number of apprentices by helping more skilled immigrants work in their chosen trade.
- Increased the number of new registrants in apprenticeship programs through: apprenticeship scholarships, employer signing bonuses and the Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit.
Better Health
- The ministry supported Better Health by providing facilities to train more and better quality doctors, nurses and other health care providers. TCU expanded undergraduate medical and international medical graduate positions, supported the new Northern Ontario School of Medicine and expanded enrolment in nursing programs.
Success for Students
- TCU continued to develop a more co-ordinated and collaborative postsecondary education system that featured more sustainable funding, including increased operating grants and student assistance.
- The ministry continued to enhance accessibility and affordability to postsecondary education by reforming eligibility criteria for student loans.
- TCU continued to stabilize funding for colleges, particularly smaller rural and northern colleges.
- The Co-op Diploma program provided new academic upgrading to students who have left high school and expanded access to employment programs.
2006/07 Ministry Expenditures
Ministry Expenditures
| |
Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures 2006/07 ($M) |
| Operating |
5,462.7 |
| Capital |
95.2 |
Staff Strength
(as of March 31, 2007) |
1,200.3 |
Note: Amounts include Statutory Appropriations.
ISSN # 1718-7109
