St. Catharines – The Ontario government is investing $76 million to fund 3,586 additional seats at Brock University and Niagara College to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at Brock University and Niagara College include programs in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as health, trades and education, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
“This increase in high-demand postsecondary seats at Brock University and Niagara College will help prepare students in our region for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This unprecedented investment of $76 million in our region is part of the largest seat expansion in the province in more than a decade and will help protect Ontario by training the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math – as well as health care and the skilled trades – as they enter the workforce.”
“Our province’s greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce – and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities,” said Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
“This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and the province.”
The provincial funding is part of the government’s historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. The seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.
The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. The province evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.
“From the shores of Lake Ontario, Brock University applauds the Ontario government’s investment in new postsecondary seats that enables us to strategically grow our STEM and applied health programs to develop world-class graduates that serve local community and regional workforce needs and fill in-demand careers,” said Dr. Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor at Brock University.
“This investment comes at an important time in helping the province stand up to Protect Ontario in building a highly skilled workforce and enhancing Brock’s capacity to drive economic growth and prosperity in Niagara and beyond.”
“We are grateful to the Ontario government and Minister Quinn for recognizing the important role that Ontario’s colleges play in building a highly skilled workforce that will fuel economic growth in our communities and across our province,” said Sean Kennedy, President of Niagara College.
“The province’s $1.7 billion investment through the Priority Growth Fund will significantly enhance our ability to address critical shortages in key sectors here in Niagara and beyond.”
This expansion at Brock University and Niagara College will ensure students in Niagara can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario’s world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.