More provincial funding coming to Ontario's colleges and universities

The province will invest $242 million into upgrading learning tools and facilities.

Post-secondary institutions in Ontario are getting a funding boost from the province.

Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn was at Queen's University in Kingston on Tuesday to announce that the Ford government is investing $242 million into upgrading learning tools and facilities.

Quinn says the funding aims to strengthen the pool of highly skilled workers in health care, trades, education, and other key sectors.

Here's breakdown of the $242 million that the province is investing:

• $209.3 million through the Facilities Renewal Program for publicly funded colleges and universities to complete maintenance, repairs and upgrades to existing facilities
• $21.6 million through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund for colleges to buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources
• $10.8 million through the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund for universities to renew and buy modern, state-of-the-art equipment and learning resources

Quinn says this will allow Ontario's colleges and universities to enroll more people into these programs.

He adds Ontario continues to face threats of economic instability and it is important to have a highly-skilled workforce to protect these industries.

Queen's will be using their share of the funding towards the purchase of immersive simulation equipment and infrastructure in the training of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. They include high-fidelity mannikins, task trainers, and upgraded AV systems to enhance remote access and asynchronous delivery of course content.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane says health care students will be able to better acquire the skills they need to deliver excellent care.

Deane adds the funding will re-enforce Queen's reputation of developing new physicians and new research in medicine.

Story by Ken Hashizume