Ontario Funding More Than 5,200 More Seats at York University to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Table of Contents

1. Content
2. Quick Facts
3. Quotes
4. Additional Resources
5. Related Topics
6. Media Contacts

VAUGHAN - The Ontario government has invested $101 million to fund 5,260 additional seats at York University to connect more students to good-paying, in-demand careers. This allocation, which is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment to support a total of 70,000 new seats, supports the province's plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive economy by continuing to develop a world-class workforce. The high-demand areas that are receiving additional seats at York University include programs in STEM, health and education, with seats available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.

"Our province's greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce - and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment is supporting the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade and will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province."

This investment is part of the government's historic $6.4 billion investment in the postsecondary sector, which includes $1.7 billion to fund a total of more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats in high-demand sectors at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This seat expansion is the largest postsecondary seat expansion in more than a decade and is aimed at helping the province stand up to tariffs and economic uncertainty by building a highly skilled workforce to support the most competitive economy in the G7.

The allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May 2026, at which time a call for proposals was launched for the remaining 40,000 new seats. Colleges and universities worked with their local communities and industries to identify programs that will prepare students for in-demand jobs and meet regional labour market needs. Ontario evaluated proposals based on institutional capacity, local industry needs and student demand to ensure the greatest impact on workforce development and economic growth.

The 5,260 newly funded seats at York University include:

• 3,814 seats for STEM programs
• 748 seats for health programs
• 698 seats for education programs

"York University welcomes the Government of Ontario's investment in new postsecondary seats," said Lisa Philipps, Interim President and Vice Chancellor, York University. "At a time of real uncertainty beyond our borders, Canadians are focused on building our own strength and looking after one another. This investment does exactly that. It opens doors for more Ontario students and prepares the nurses, social workers, engineers, teachers and innovators our communities are counting on. York is ready to do our part. We thank Minister Quinn and the government for this commitment to Ontario's students and our shared future."

This expansion at York University will ensure students in Vaughan can access the education they need to launch rewarding, in-demand careers, while ensuring Ontario's world-class institutions can continue producing one of the most competitive workforces in the G7 for generations to come.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"At the Ontario Chamber, we hear every day from businesses facing skills shortages. Strengthening Ontario's talent pipeline is critical to our competitiveness and today's investment will help ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow."

- Daniel Tisch
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

"In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, we need to invest in our greatest competitive advantage: our people. After announcing a plan to build Ontario's first medical school focused on training family doctors with the York University School of Medicine in Vaughan, we're funding 70,000 new postsecondary seats, including over 5,200 at York University, to train more young people for good-paying careers in STEM, healthcare, and education."

- Stephen Lecce
MPP for King-Vaughan

"Expanding access to high-demand postsecondary programs is an important investment in the future of our students, our communities and our economy. By creating more opportunities for students to pursue careers in fields such as health care, STEM, and education, we are helping build the skilled workforce Ontario needs to grow and remain competitive. I'm pleased to see this investment creating new opportunities for students here in Vaughan-Woodbridge. Our universities play an important role in preparing the next generation for rewarding careers, while helping employers find the skilled workers they need to succeed."

- Michael Tibollo
MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge

"This investment means more students in our community can study closer to home and build the skills they need for the future. Our government is preparing students for in-demand careers across Ontario while continuing to build the skilled workforce our province relies on."

- Laura Smith
MPP for Thornhill

Additional Resources

Related Topics