Ministry of Colleges and Universities explained

Agency Name:Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Formed:1964
Type:Ministry
Headquarters:Toronto[1]
Minister1 Name:Nolan Quinn
Minister1 Pfo:Minister of Colleges and Universities
Minister2 Name:Goldie Ghamari
Minister2 Pfo:Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges and Universities
Budget:Estimated C$ 6.2 Billion in 2008/09[2]
Website:https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-advanced-education-and-skills-development

The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is the ministry of the Government of Ontario responsible for administration of laws relating to post-secondary education. This ministry is one of two education ministries, the other being the Ministry of Education (responsible for primary and secondary schools across Ontario). The Ministry's offices are in downtown Toronto. The current minister is Nolan Quinn.

History

In May 1964, the Department of University Affairs Act was passed establishing the Department of University Affairs. The department was charged with administering the government's support programs for higher education, previously the responsibility of the Department of Education. Bill Davis, the inaugural minister, was the Minister of Education at the time and continued to hold the position after the department's establishment.

In addition to jurisdiction over higher education, the department also had financial jurisdiction over the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Art Gallery of Ontario. In October 1971, the department's size was doubled by the addition of the Applied Arts and Technology Branch of the Department of Education. In light of this expansion of functions, the name of the department was changed to the Department of Colleges and Universities.

It was renamed the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in 1972 as part of a government-wide restructuring. In 1975, various cultural programs and institutions of the ministry were transferred to the newly created Ministry of Culture and Recreation.

In 1985, a separate Ministry of Skills Development was created. In 1993, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skills Development were combined to form the Ministry of Education and Training.

In June 1999, the responsibilities for post-secondary education and skills development were again given to a standalone ministry, named the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Briefly between 2016 and 2018, it was renamed the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

In October 2019, training and skills development was moved to the Ministry of Labour and the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.[3]

Governance

The Minister of Colleges and Universities is a member of the Executive Council of Ontario (or cabinet) reporting to the Premier and held accountable by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The deputy minister manages the operations of the ministry that includes five main divisions. As a whole, the ministry has responsibility for administration of laws relating to post-secondary education and skills training in Ontario. The divisions cover employment and training, post-secondary education, strategic policy and programs, corporate management and services, and French-language education and educational operations.[4] The divisions report to the deputy minister who then reports to the minister.[4] The ministry works with several external advisory bodies to assist in the governance of the higher education system in Ontario.[5]

Function

In addition to being responsible for the administration of policies, laws, and funding relating to Ontario's 24 colleges and 22 universities, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities is also responsible for the registration of private career colleges as well as financial aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).[6]

Ministry Agencies

[7]

Reports

Rae Report, 2005

The Rae Report, officially titled Ontario: A Leader in Learning, called for deregulation of tuition fees, income-contingent loan repayments, and an increase in public funding.[8]

List of ministers

PortraitNameTerm of officeTenurePolitical party
(Ministry)
Note
Minister of University AffairsPC
(Robarts)
Bill DavisConcurrently Minister of Education
John Whiteto be continuedPC
(Davis)
Minister of Colleges and Universities
John White
George Kerr
Jack McNie
James Auld
Harry Parrott
Bette StephensonConcurrently Minister of Education
Keith NortonPC
(Miller)
Concurrently Minister of Education
Larry GrossmanConcurrently Minister of Education and Government House Leader
Greg SorbaraLiberal
(Peterson)
Concurrently Minister of Skills Development
Lyn McLeodAlvin Curling served as Minister of Skills Development during this time
Sean ConwayConcurrently Minister of Education & Minister of Skills Development
Richard AllenNDP
(Rae)
Concurrently Minister of Skills Development
Minister of Education and Training
Dave Cooke
John SnobelenPC
(Harris)
David Johnson
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Dianne CunninghamConcurrently Minister Responsible for Women's Issues (February 8, 2001 – October 22, 2003)
PC
(Eves)
Mary Anne ChambersLiberal
(McGuinty)
Chris Bentley
John Milloy
(first instance)
Glen MurrayResigned to seek the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party
John Milloy
(first instance)
4 years and 88 days in total
Interim minister upon Murray's resignation
Brad DuguidLiberal
(Wynne)
Reza MoridiConcurrently Minister of Research and Innovation
Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
Deb MatthewsWhile Deputy Premier, Chair of Cabinet and Minister Responsible for Digital Government
Mitzie Hunter
Minister of Training, Colleges and UniversitiesPC
(Ford)
Merrilee Fullerton
Ross Romano
Minister of Colleges and Universities
Ross Romano
Jill Dunlop
Nolan Quinnpresent

See also

References

Citations

Notes and References

  1. Government of Ontario. Contacts. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from
  2. Ministry of Finance Ontario (2008). Expenditure estimates. Retrieved May 29, 2008, from
  3. Web site: Premier Doug Ford changes responsibilities of three cabinet ministers. 21 October 2019.
  4. Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities Ontario (2008, May 29). Organization chart. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/tcu_chart.pdf
  5. Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities Ontario (2007, March 16). Agencies, boards, and commissions. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/abcs/
  6. Web site: Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
  7. Web site: Agencies and current appointees - Public Appointments Secretariat.
  8. [Rae Report]