Ontario has begun in-person inspections at eight private career colleges as part of a provincewide audit of student financial aid integrity, with the province's freeze on Ontario Student Assistance Program funding for private institutions still in force, according to the Northumberland Daily. The inspections come after reports that Trillium College temporarily suspended classroom and online instruction at its campuses, including in Kingston and Cobourg, following the province's decision to pause OSAP funding to private post-secondary institutions.
The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security says the investigation, supported by independent auditor KPMG, extends across the entire private postsecondary sector. According to a statement issued by Minister Quinn on October 20, ministry investigators visited eight private career colleges the previous week, gathering information and interviewing individuals as part of the ongoing investigation.
The government is advancing new oversight measures including stricter student verification requirements, limits on publicly funded enrolment, and additional institutional approval controls aimed at preventing irregularities and potential fraud. The strengthened validation process is expected to take effect in the new year, after legislation is introduced and passed, according to the ministry.
OSAP provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing postsecondary education, and the ministry says the review goes beyond the eight institutions already inspected to cover the broader private postsecondary sector. Officials stressed the province is working to safeguard public funding and strengthen accountability in the administration of the program, the ministry's statement said.
Ontario's private career colleges provide vocational and career training to thousands of students, and the province says its review extends beyond the eight institutions already inspected to encompass the broader private postsecondary sector. OSAP funding for private institutions will remain suspended until new validation measures are implemented, expected after legislation is introduced and passed, the ministry says. Officials emphasized that safeguarding public funding and strengthening accountability remain the government's priority.