THUNDER BAY, Ontario — October 16, 2026 — The Ontario government is investing $15 million to create 1,312 additional student seats at Lakehead University and Confederation College, expanding access to postsecondary education in fields facing growing workforce demand across Northwestern Ontario.
The funding forms part of a provincewide $1.7 billion initiative supporting more than 70,000 additional seats in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), health care, education and skilled trades. Students could begin accessing the newly funded spaces as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
Lakehead University and Confederation College Receive New Funding
Lakehead University will receive funding for 1,062 additional seats, while Confederation College will accommodate another 250 students.
Breakdown of New Postsecondary Seats
At Lakehead University, the expansion includes:
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830 seats in STEM programs.
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225 seats in education programs.
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7 seats in health-related programs.
Confederation College will receive funding for:
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132 seats in health programs.
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73 seats in skilled trades.
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45 seats in STEM programs.
The allocations are intended to address regional labour shortages while providing students with opportunities to pursue careers without leaving Northwestern Ontario.
Confederation College said the funding will support aviation, electrical and nursing programs, including existing nursing capacity.
Ontario Expands Workforce Training Amid Economic Uncertainty
The Thunder Bay investment is part of Ontario’s broader $6.4 billion postsecondary funding initiative, designed to strengthen colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.
The province describes the expansion as its largest increase in postsecondary seats in more than a decade.
“Amid global economic uncertainty, our government is taking decisive action to strengthen and protect Ontario’s pipeline of highly skilled workers,” said Lorne Coe, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This seat expansion will ensure that more students can get the world-class education they need to launch good-paying careers while driving Thunder Bay’s and Ontario’s economic growth for generations to come.”
The government initially announced 30,000 additional seats in May 2026 before inviting institutions to submit proposals for another 40,000.
Applications were evaluated according to institutional capacity, regional industry requirements and student demand.
The ministry received more than 1,000 employer support letters endorsing additional spaces in programs aligned with labour market needs.
Business Leaders Highlight Growing Demand for Skilled Workers
Ontario’s business community has identified workforce availability as an important factor affecting investment, productivity and economic competitiveness.
“At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario’s talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today’s investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow.”
— Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Educational Institutions Welcome Regional Investment
Lakehead University President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall welcomed the expansion, emphasizing its potential to strengthen regional workforce development.
“Lakehead University welcomes this incredible investment. Increasing capacity ensures that more students can receive the education, skills, and hands-on experiences they need to learn, build their lives, and pursue meaningful careers in the communities that need them – right here in Northwestern Ontario, Central Ontario, and across the province. These new seats will help Lakehead respond directly to regional labour market needs while preparing graduates in areas that are critical to Ontario’s future economic growth and prosperity.”
— Dr. Gillian Siddall, President and Vice Chancellor, Lakehead University
Confederation College President Michelle Salo also welcomed the province’s support.
“We appreciate Ontario’s investment in programs that prepare learners for in-demand careers across Northwestern Ontario. This approval supports new capacity in aviation, electrical and nursing programs and provides funding for existing nursing capacity. We look forward to continuing our work with the province to advance additional partnership opportunities and support access to training closer to home for learners across the region.”
— Michelle Salo, President, Confederation College
Long-Term Postsecondary Funding Supports Ontario’s Economy
Under Ontario’s revised funding model, annual operating support for colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes is expected to reach $7 billion, representing a 30 per cent increase.
The province is also allocating $57 million to Indigenous Institutes, including $33 million to expand capacity by up to 780 seats in high-demand programs.
For Thunder Bay, the additional 1,312 seats represent an investment in local educational capacity and workforce development. The expansion is expected to help institutions respond to employer needs while giving more students access to career-focused training across Northwestern Ontario.
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