Restore Canada Student Grant eligibility

AI summary

Petitioners ask the government to reverse excluding regulated career‑college students from Canada Student Grant eligibility. The government responds it will limit grants to public/non‑profit institutions from Aug 1, 2026, with narrow exemptions.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following, WHEREAS: Budget 2025 proposes restricting eligibility for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students to those attending public or not- for-profit institutions, excluding many students at regulated career colleges; This change creates unequal treatment among students based on the type of institution they attend, rather than the value or demand of their chosen field of study; Many in-demand careers-including skilled trades, health services, and fields such as Traditional Chinese Medicine-are primarily offered through regulated career colleges, with limited or no public alternatives; Removing grant eligibility risks reducing access to affordable training for students, particularly those from low- and middle- income backgrounds; Limiting support for these programs may worsen existing labour shortages in critical sectors of the Canadian economy. Therefore, we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons and the Government of Canada to: 1. Reverse the proposed changes to student grant eligibility that exclude students attending regulated career colleges; 2. Ensure equal and fair access to student financial assistance for all students, regardless of institution type; and 3. Support training pathways that align with labour market needs, including skilled trades and other high-demand professions.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Signed by Annie Koutrakis Budget 2025 announced that beginning on August 1, 2026, the Government of Canada will restrict eligibility for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students to students attending public and private not-for-profit educational institutions, pending regulatory approval. To be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students, a student must be enrolled in a program that is at least two years (60 weeks) in duration. Any program less than two years long will generally not be impacted by this measure as students enrolled in shorter programs have never been eligible for this grant. For example, programs like most personal support worker programs, which are typically around a year, will not be impacted by this measure. This measure will also not impact skilled trades as apprentices in skilled trades programs are not eligible for student financial assistance, including the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students. Apprentices in Red Seal trade programs can instead access federal financial supports including interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture programs are also offered at public institutions, which will not be impacted by this change, offering students the opportunity to participate in the program. Current federal labour market projections indicate a balanced labour market for this occupation, and there are public options available for these programs. Subject to final approval of regulations, an exemption process will allow the Government to exceptionally extend eligibility for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students to eligible students in a limited number of programs at private for-profit educational institutions, if the program meets certain regulatory criteria. Exemptions will only be granted if a program is determined to meet a combination of key eligibility criteria, including demonstrated labour market demand; leading to a regulated occupation; and not opposed by designating jurisdiction. For the 2026-2027 academic year, because of timelines and to ensure exemptions would be in place at the start of the measure, exemptions were proactively identified. Pending regulatory approval, the following four programs will be exempt from the restriction at all private for-profit educational institutions where students can access Canada Student Financial Assistance Program student financial assistance: nursing early childhood education dental hygiene paramedic Beginning in 2027-28, an application-based process for exemptions would be available to private institutions, which will allow consideration of program exemptions that meet a combination of the previously noted criteria. While most students attending private for-profit institutions will no longer be eligible for the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students, they will continue to have access to most supports provided by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. This includes interest-free Canada Student Loans as well as Canada Student Grants for Students with Dependants, Students with Disabilities, Part-Time Studies, and the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities. These supports provide significant help making post-secondary education more affordable for students, including those who study at private for-profit institutions. The Government of Canada remains committed to affordability and lowering costs for Canadians pursuing post-secondary education. That is why the Government announced its commitment on March 23, 2026 to renew the temporary increases to Canada Student Grants and Loans that have been in place since 2023-24 for the 2026-27 academic year, pending regulatory approval. This $1.2 billion investment maintains the 40% increase to grants for full-time students, part-time students, students with disabilities and students with dependants, and the Canada Student Loan limit increase from $210 to $300 per week of study. These measures will continue to help make post-secondary education accessible and help Canadian students make high-quality investments in their development and success. Furthermore, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting training that aligns with labour market needs, including in the skilled trades. The 2026 Spring Economic Update announced up to $6 billion over five years towards the skilled trades, including: $2 billion over five years, starting in 2026-2027, with $262 million ongoing for: The new Team Canada Strong Program, which will provide youth aged 15-30 with paid, entry-level, trades-related work experience that can lead into apprenticeship. Build Canada Apprenticeship Service, that will help employers to hire, and train apprentices by providing financial incentives of up to $10,000 for their first-year salary, helping to match apprentices to job opportunities, and offering hands on navigation and support. $331 million over five years, starting in 2026-2027, with $18 million ongoing for Red Seal Program modernization, reducing certification delays and improving consistency nationwide by introducing online exams, digital logbooks, and secure credentials, and creating a single national registered apprenticeship number. Union Training and Innovation Program expansion, enabling union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expanding capacity, and investing in modern equipment. Red Seal Program modernization, reducing certification delays and improving consistency nationwide by introducing online exams, digital logbooks, and secure credentials, and creating a single national registered apprenticeship number. Union Training and Innovation Program expansion, enabling union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expanding capacity, and investing in modern equipment. $3.4 billion over five years, starting in 2026-2027, and $468 million ongoing for Apprenticeship Training Grant: Providing apprentices with a weekly income top up of $400 per week while they are attending mandatory in class technical training, paid in addition to Employment Insurance. Apprenticeship completion bonus and continuation support: To increase apprenticeship completion rates by providing a one-time $5,000 bonus to apprentices obtaining certification in a Red Seal trade, and providing income supports for those between training and work. Apprenticeship Training Grant: Providing apprentices with a weekly income top up of $400 per week while they are attending mandatory in class technical training, paid in addition to Employment Insurance. Apprenticeship completion bonus and continuation support: To increase apprenticeship completion rates by providing a one-time $5,000 bonus to apprentices obtaining certification in a Red Seal trade, and providing income supports for those between training and work. These significant investments underscore the Government of Canada’s strong and ongoing commitment to building a resilient skilled trades workforce, expanding access to training, and driving Canada’s long-term economic growth. In addition, Budget 2025 announced $75 million over three years, starting 2026-2027, to double the union training and innovation program to support union-based apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades.