Ontario's shift towards neoliberalism in public universities has escalated since the late 1970s, largely due to reduced provincial grants and soaring tuition fees. By 2017, funding from public grants dwindled to just 38%, with tuition becoming the primary revenue source. Under Doug Ford's leadership, the decline of the university sector accelerated, impacting financial stability and exacerbating regional inequalities, as larger institutions like the University of Toronto thrived while smaller universities in Northern Ontario struggled with decreasing enrollment.
The trajectory of Ontario’s public universities has shifted significantly towards privatization, seeing per-student grants slashed and tuition fees soar, displacing the public funding model.
By 2017, Ontario's funding from public grants had plummeted to just 38%, rendering tuition fees the largest source of operating funds, amidst a shrinking educational budget.
The introduction of terms like 'publicly assisted' universities underscores a troubling shift in identity, reflecting a reality where diverse funding streams overshadow traditional public support.
Regional disparities have intensified, evidenced by stark contrasts in university sizes; while the University of Toronto has surged, northern universities face stark enrollment declines.
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