Premier's remarks draw rebuke from college

By Kevin Martindale

Ontario’s Premier claims colleges and universities are not as fiscally responsible as elementary and secondary schools, but a Loyalist College spokesperson disagrees.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said in a meeting at the Globe and Mail’s editorial board last Friday, colleges and universities have not met the same standards.
“We have not demanded the same kinds of accountability that we have with our hospitals and elementary secondary schools,” he said.
However, the Health and Sciences dean says that is completely false, and can prove it.
“Loyalist College can certainly provide the evidence of the high quality of the programs we offer, having engaged in quality program review processing,” said Karin Brooks-Cathcart
“In edition, the success of Loyalist College grads and employment rates highlights the quality of a college education.”
The Globe’s article also mentions McGuinty’s government has infused post-secondary instituitions with a “$310-million infusion in this year’s budget to add 20,000 new university and college spaces.”
But Cathcart says there’s still more that can be done
“Ontario Colleges are 10th out of 10 of funding received, they receive the lowest funding in the country.”
In the coming months, McGuinty will be meeting with college and university leaders to open up “honest discussions.”