Without funding, postsecondary housing mandate is smoke and mirrors

January 26, 2024

GUELPH — Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to news that the Ford government will require all colleges and universities to have a guarantee that housing options are available for incoming international students.

“Housing doesn’t appear out of thin air.

Mandating housing without a funding commitment to help Ontario’s universities and colleges pay for it is little more than smoke and mirrors.

Ford’s failure to responsibly fund colleges and universities is not only threatening the financial stability of postsecondary education – it is also making the housing crisis worse.

Right now, students and institutions alike are being thrown into chaos because of this government’s act-now-think-later approach to policy.

Instead of merely passing the buck, why doesn’t the government work with universities and colleges to address the housing crisis students are facing by increasing funding and committing dedicated resources?”

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