The 2013 Ontario Budget will be released on May 2nd, 2013 by Minister of Finance Charles Sousa. It is expected that the budget will continue the Liberal government’s focus on reducing the provincial deficit, although it will likely also contain provisions put forward by the NDP (such as reduced auto insurance premiums). Premier Kathleen Wynne needs support from one of the opposition parties to pass the budget and forestall a spring election, and is unlikely to get it from the Tories.
At present, there has not been any clear indication what the budget will contain for Ontario’s universities. The government will likely re-announce their new tuition framework, but there will likely be no new spending. Indeed, per-student funding will likely continue to decline. This lack of investment will continue to threaten the quality of higher education in Ontario, endangering student success and economic growth.
OCUFA will be providing an analysis of the budget, both on this website and in OCUFA Report.