OCUFA: No more political interference in public universities

The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is alarmed to see the Ontario government’s proposal to take over accountability and performance measures and the responsibility for evaluating campus free speech policies.

The proposed change, part of the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, announced today by Education Minister Paul Calandra, would see the ostensibly independent, board-governed Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) absorbed into the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES).

OCUFA is deeply concerned to learn that the Ministry has eliminated even the appearance of independence in absorbing the work of HEQCO, which shows that it is not interested in being transparent or accountable to Ontarians. HEQCO previously operated as an “arm’s length” agency, though OCUFA has pointed to its close ties to government for years. 

This move gives the government the ability to interfere in the operations of public institutions without consulting experts or engaging with fact-based evidence. Expert stakeholders including OCUFA were not consulted about the change or others recently announced by the Ministry.

For years, OCUFA has argued that government overreach into university policies regarding free speech and student outcomes was unnecessary and inefficient. Ontario’s universities are independent institutions, and that independence is key to creating dynamic learning environments that help students thrive during and after their education. Universities already have policies in place that govern campus speech, as well as established methods of evaluating student needs and educational offerings.

OCUFA is disappointed that the government is choosing to direct resources towards inefficient oversight efforts without accountability to Ontario families instead of dealing with the funding crisis facing our universities.

Faculty, academic librarians, and academic professionals have been calling on the government to provide more funding to support universities and the Ontario families who rely on them. Ontario currently sits last in the nation for total per-domestic student funding, almost $7,000 behind the national average.

OCUFA continues to advocate for stable, long-term funding for universities across the province, and will monitor the path of this proposed legislation.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents more than 18,000 faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals in 30 member organizations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca