“Young people are already facing record-high unemployment, and are asking whether they can afford rent, groceries, or making a living here in Ontario. Instead of fixing the affordability crisis, this government is telling them to take on more debt and hope things somehow work out.” – Peggy Sattler, Ontario New Democratic Party’s Shadow Minister for Colleges and Universities
A News Release from Ontario’s NDP Official Opposition Party
Posted February 17th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
QUEEN’S PARK – Peggy Sattler, Shadow Minister for Colleges and Universities, says the Ford government is asking students and families to pay more for education at a time when young people are already struggling to afford rent, food, and basic living costs.
“Under Doug Ford’s watch, young people simply can’t get ahead,” said Sattler. “It’s harder than ever to make ends meet, find a good job, or even afford a home. Ford’s plan to hike tuition and cut OSAP grants will make it impossible for young people to build a future in Ontario. He is downloading the costs of his cuts to students and families.
“This is about the future of this province, and right now this government is actively making it harder for young people to build one,” said Sattler.
“When young people cannot afford to go to college or university, or graduate buried in debt, we are not just hurting students, we are damaging Ontario’s economic future. The Conservatives are trying to bring American-style policies to our public institutions, saddling young people with debt for decades, and making it impossible for them to succeed.
“You cannot claim historic investments while telling schools and students to do more with less. (This past February 12th, 2026), the Minister was telling colleges and universities they will still need to ‘find efficiencies.’ How is that even possible if this is supposed to be historic, sector-saving funding? If the funding was actually meeting the need, we would not be seeing cuts, layoffs, and higher costs being pushed onto students.
“Young people are already facing record-high unemployment, and are asking whether they can afford rent, groceries, or making a living here in Ontario,” concluded Sattler.
“Instead of fixing the affordability crisis, this government is telling them to take on more debt and hope things somehow work out. Young people deserve better than that. Students deserve real affordability, real stability, and a government that actually has their back.”
For related information on this issue from Ontario’s Ford government, click on – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007034/ontario-investing-64-billion-to-support-postsecondary-sectors-long-term-success-and-sustainability
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