University officials have applauded Ontario 2017 budget initiatives that provide more tuition funding in households with limited incomes, and also help graduates manage their student loan repayment.

Brock also welcomes commitments to expand support for experiential learning, help Indigenous students attend university or college, and provide universal pharmacare for under-25s, which will help young graduates get on their feet.

Brock is recognized as one of Ontario’s most successful universities in terms of enriching students’ education and career prospects through co-ops, internships and other out-of-classroom learning experiences. We welcome the announced $190-million Career Kick-Start program that will increase partnerships with industry to boost work-related opportunities for students.

The OSAP reforms, some of which were originally announced in 2016, will help more people have a better future by getting a university education. The commitment to free tuition for students from households with family income under $35,000, and support grants for family income between $35,000 and $90,000, has elevated significance in a region like Niagara, which has below-average family income levels.

For grads starting careers in contract or part-time jobs, it is a positive step that they now will not have to start repaying the province’s portion of their student loans until they are earning at least $35,000 a year.

“Finding ways to support the quality of post-secondary education, and make it available to more people, is critical in expanding a knowledge-based economy and in helping families break out of a poverty cycle,” said Brock President Tom Traves.