St. Clair College President Patti France welcomed a new approval process unveiled Wednesday by the province, making it easier for Ontario colleges and universities to offer new postsecondary programs.
The government announced on Wednesday it is simplifying how colleges, private and out-of-province institutions receive consent to offer new degrees in Ontario and how publicly assisted institutions receive program funding approvals.
"We are reducing duplication and cutting red tape to speed up the approval process," said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. "This will help the postsecondary sector to deliver new programs faster, so students can get the training they need to get a good job and help grow Ontario's economy."
Romano said, "streamlining the consent and funding approvals processes means the ministry can communicate decisions to our sector partners faster so they can offer new programs more quickly that may meet labour market demand."
France thanked the Ministry of Colleges and Universities for reducing red tape.
"The long-standing process to create and introduce a new program has been an onerous one - and rightfully so. It is essential that all of our I's are dotted and our T's are crossed to ensure that we are delivering valuable new education and training opportunities to students. Nevertheless, if we can obtain ministry approval somewhat more readily once we have demonstrated that our planning has been thorough, that will certainly allow us to respond more rapidly to economic and labour market trends that require new programs."