News ReleaseMinistry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and SecurityOctober 2, 2026
Ontario funds 7,574 new Ottawa-area college and university seats
Students can enroll in expanded programs at three Ottawa institutions as early as fall 2026, including programs in STEM, health, education and trades.
Summary
Ontario is investing $205 million to fund 7,574 additional postsecondary seats at three Ottawa institutions. Students may be able to enroll in the expanded seats as early as fall 2026.
- University of Ottawa: 4,128 seats — 2,494 in STEM, 1,319 in health and 315 in education.
- Carleton University: 2,328 seats — 1,220 in STEM, 281 in health and 827 in other labour-market programs.
- Collège La Cité: 1,118 seats — 276 in STEM, 272 in health, 178 in education, 163 in trades and 229 in other labour-market programs.
This allocation is part of Ontario’s broader $1.7-billion plan for more than 70,000 additional seats in high-demand programs at 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