News ReleaseMinistry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and SecurityOctober 16, 2026
Lakehead and Confederation add places for career training
Students can enroll in expanded programs in STEM, health, education and trades as early as fall 2026.
Summary
Ontario is providing $15 million for 1,312 additional seats at two Thunder Bay postsecondary institutions, with students able to enroll as early as fall 2026.
- Lakehead University: 1,062 seats — 830 in STEM, 225 in education and 7 in health.
- Confederation College: 250 seats — 132 in health, 73 in trades and 45 in STEM.
The allocation is part of Ontario’s broader $1.7 billion plan to fund more than 70,000 additional seats in high-demand programs across publicly assisted colleges and universities.
Related links
- a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seatsnews.ontario.ca
- was announced in May 2026news.ontario.ca
- $6.4 billion funding model will raise annual operating funding at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes to $7 billionbudget.ontario.ca
- Ontario Investing $6.4 Billion to Support Postsecondary Sector’s Long-Term Success and Sustainabilitynews.ontario.ca
- Ontario Investing $57 Million to Support Indigenous Postsecondary Institutes’ Long-Term Success and Sustainabilitynews.ontario.ca
- Learn about colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontarioontario.ca
Source: Ontario Newsroom