Rae Report Results

For those of you in Ontario you will likely recall, former Premier and current federal MP, Bob Rae conducting a review of post-secondary education in the province a little more than five years ago. His report, Ontario: A Leader in Learning (or more commonly known as the Rae Report) lead to the creation of a five year plan for the Ontario government called Reaching Higher.

With the five year period for the plan now complete the current Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities, John Milloy, outlined the results in a speech to the Canadian Club on January 18, 2010. Here are a few of the claims made and highlights from his speech:

• 100,000 more students in PSE than when the Liberal government first took office
• $650 million in student financial assistance - an increase of 250% & a 40% increase in the number of student receiving financial support
• 30% increase in number of students with a disability attending PSE
• $1.7 billion increase in operating funds for PSE or a 63% increase since the Liberals took office
• On our way to having 15,000 more graduate students spaces
• Graduation rates have increased at both college & university levels
• 80% or more of students are satisfied with their education
• 120,000 apprentices training in Ontario now which is double the amount from when the government took office

At the end of his speech the Minister pointed out the biggest wild card that will affect PSE moving forward: the $24 billion Ontario government deficit. With education in Canada being funded by the provinces it will be interesting to see how the government allocates resources in the upcoming budget to build on the foundation that was laid with the Rae Report. Many of us are watching and waiting.