TORONTO — Ontario’s minister responsible for colleges and universities will hold a press conference Thursday morning alongside the province’s finance minister, a joint appearance that signals the Ford government’s continued focus on post-secondary education policy amid broader fiscal and economic planning.
Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, is scheduled to deliver remarks beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, followed by a media availability. He will be joined by Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance.
The event will take place at the Communications Centre in Whitney Block, located on the concourse level at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto. It will also be livestreamed on the Government of Ontario’s YouTube channels, with closed captioning available in both English and French.
While the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security did not release details on the substance of the announcement in advance, the joint appearance of the ministers responsible for post-secondary education and provincial finances suggests the remarks could touch on funding, accountability, or longer-term policy direction for Ontario’s colleges and universities.
The timing is notable. Ontario’s post-secondary sector continues to navigate financial pressures stemming from frozen domestic tuition, declining international student enrolments, and rising operating costs. Colleges and universities have increasingly warned of budget shortfalls, program suspensions, and staffing reductions, raising concerns about the sector’s ability to meet labour market needs and support economic growth.
From a business perspective, post-secondary institutions play a central role in workforce development, applied research, and regional economic activity. Any policy signals from the province related to funding stability, enrolment planning, or research commercialization are closely watched by employers, investors, and municipal leaders.
Bethlenfalvy’s presence adds further weight to the announcement. As finance minister, he oversees provincial spending priorities at a time when Ontario is balancing infrastructure commitments, health-care costs, and efforts to maintain fiscal discipline. His participation may indicate that the government intends to link post-secondary policy more directly to broader economic and budgetary considerations.
Quinn, who holds a portfolio that combines colleges and universities with research excellence and security, has emphasized the role of post-secondary institutions in supporting innovation and training workers for in-demand fields. The ministry’s expanded mandate reflects a growing emphasis on aligning education and research with provincial economic and security objectives.
The press conference is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., with remarks from the ministers, followed by a media availability where reporters will be able to ask questions. The government has indicated that accredited media representatives wishing to attend in person must register in advance by emailing [email protected].
For those unable to attend, the livestream will be accessible through the Government of Ontario’s official YouTube channels. English closed captioning will be available on the Government of Ontario YouTube Channel, while French closed captioning will be provided on the Chaîne YouTube du gouvernement de l’Ontario, reflecting the province’s bilingual communications approach.
Thursday’s event comes as stakeholders across the post-secondary landscape await greater clarity on the province’s long-term strategy for colleges and universities. Business groups, in particular, have called for closer alignment between education policy and labour market demand, especially in sectors facing acute skills shortages such as construction, advanced manufacturing, health care, and technology.
Any announcements or policy signals emerging from the press conference are expected to be scrutinized not only by educators and students, but also by employers and regional economic development organizations seeking reassurance that Ontario’s post-secondary system will remain a reliable pipeline for talent and innovation.
Further details are expected to be provided during the ministers’ remarks and subsequent media availability on Thursday morning.
