A $60-million boost from the Ontario government will fund 2,565 seats at Brock University in applied health, education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs. 

The funding is part of the province’s broader $1.7-billion investment in 70,000 new post-secondary seats supporting in-demand careers across Ontario.  

“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.” 

Minister Quinn shared news of the Brock allocation while touring the University’s main campus on Monday, Sept. 21. Joined by Brock senior leaders, the Minister engaged with students in the University’s musculoskeletal assessment and human systems anatomy labs, taking in demonstrations and learning about the innovative techniques that are preparing students to have an immediate impact in the workforce upon graduation. 

“From the shores of Lake Ontario, Brock University applauds the Ontario government’s investment in new post-secondary seats that enables us to strategically grow our STEM and applied health programs to develop world-class graduates that serve local community and regional workforce needs and fill in-demand careers,” said Lesley Rigg, the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “This investment comes at an important time in helping the province stand up to Protect Ontario in building a highly skilled workforce and enhancing Brock’s capacity to drive economic growth and prosperity in Niagara and beyond.” 

Brock’s funding — which will support 1,183 seats for STEM programs, 801 for health programs and 581 for education programs — is the result of a call for proposals launched after Ontario announced allocation of the first 30,000 post-secondary seats in May 2026. 

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.   

In addition to seats at Brock, the region saw support from the province with 1,021 new seats announced at Niagara College, totalling $76 million in funding between the two institutions. 

“This increase in high-demand post-secondary seats at Brock University and Niagara College will help prepare students in our region for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West. 

“This unprecedented investment of $76 million in our region is part of the largest seat expansion in the province in more than a decade and will help protect Ontario by training the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math — as well as health care and the skilled trades — as they enter the workforce.”