By: Anna Ferguson, Rachel Aarons and Justina Ikwu
On Tuesday, March 26th, the Ontario government released the 2024 Ontario Budget. The government’s commitment to supporting Black youth, education, and empowerment was a step in the right direction.
Ontario’s Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP) aims to increase the opportunities for Black Youth and dismantle any race-based or systematic barriers hindering them from reaching their goals. Over 2023-24, the Ontario government will be investing $16.5 million in this cause to support 20 community-based organizations supporting Black children and families. Through their Economic Empowerment stream, Black youth and young professionals will develop skills to help launch their careers in high-demand sectors. Tomorrow’s leaders will be empowered, and opportunities and resources for pre-teens to advancing professionals will be made accessible to more Black Canadians. Ontario’s championing of this cause has been a steady climb over the last two years. This investment comes on the heels of the government committing an additional $3 million towards this initiative in 2023.
The Ontario government is setting its eyes on enacting several other policies expected to favour Black youth in particular. In favour of affordable and accessible post-secondary education, Ontario is extending the tuition fee freeze for students in publicly assisted colleges and universities for a minimum of three more years. Since this freeze and the 10 percent reduction in tuition fees, Canadians have saved an estimated $1,600 per year (on average) to attend university and approximately $350 per year to attend a public college. Moreover, in response to labour market needs in the STEM field, the government committed $100 million to support STEM program costs at publicly funded colleges and universities.
Also, the government is providing an additional $10 million to small, Northern, rural colleges and universities, where a growing Black population resides, to provide competitive choices for local post-secondary education. Ontario continues to focus on the affordability and upkeep of post-secondary institutes across the province. In 2022, the province invested nearly $5.4 billion in this sector, including $2 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years to modernize classrooms by carrying out repairs, upgrading technology, and promoting environmental sustainability. We hope to see organizations focused on serving Black communities leverage these initiatives in creating a future where Black Canadians are prevalently active and influential leaders.
High-quality education is key to the success and advancement of tomorrow’s professionals and future leaders. Over the next three years, Ontario is investing $15 million in an Efficiency and Accountability fund to ensure the standard is met. This commitment will fund third-party reviewers to identify opportunities for long-term cost savings and positive outcomes for students. In addition, the Ontario government is investing $903 million over three years to create the Post-Secondary Education Sustainability Fund. Through the provision of funds to post-secondary institutes, this initiative will contribute to the financial stability and efficient operation of Ontario colleges and universities, without raising tuition for students. These pillars will ensure that students and their success are the top priority and create opportunities for more students to attend post-secondary institutes.
On February 26th, 2024, the government passed the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, authorizing the Minister of Colleges and Universities to issue directives requiring post-secondary institutes to provide information around ancillary fees and other student costs as well as full disclosure on mental health programs and available supports and policies that address racism and hate. These policies keep our institutes open and honest and provide students with more tools to succeed.
The government’s investments and policies reflect a commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for Ontarians. With this support, we look forward to furthering our mission to advance Black professionals through education, professional skills development, mental health counselling and thereby, economic empowerment. We are galvanized with a renewed sense of purpose to continue bridging educational gaps, increasing Black representation in Corporate Canada and breaking down systemic barriers.
