Ontario’s investment in postsecondary education key for economic growth, recovery and resilience

eCampusOntario is pleased to join our postsecondary sector partners across Ontario in congratulating the Government of Ontario on the release of Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy – 2021 Ontario Budget. 

Budget 2021 affirms Ontario’s position as a global leader in online post-secondary education and lifelong learning. Today’s Budget provides $21.4M over two years to build on the historic $50 million investment in the Virtual Learning Strategy announced in December 2020. This renewed investment in virtual learning will continue to accelerate teaching and learning excellence for improved learner experiences and outcomes across Ontario.  

“This continued investment in the Virtual Learning Strategy will transform post–secondary education by providing the sector with greater capacity to engage in both domestic and international online learning markets, and through support for a growing Ontario educational technology sector,” says Dr. Robert Luke, CEO, eCampusOntario, “with this focused year over year funding commitment to virtual learning, Ontario will refine and grow our sector’s expert capacity to deliver on the Virtual Learning Strategy and the Micro-credential Strategy and make significant contributions to Ontario’s economy.” 

Maximizing access to virtual learning opportunities enables the development of a robust education ecosystem that supports lifelong learning pathways required for the future of work. eCampusOntario applauds the leadership of the Government of Ontario on this future vision.  

Today’s budget has important investments in postsecondary education that will reduce financial and geographical barriers to ensure all learners have the opportunity to learn when and where they choose. This has a direct return on investment by enabling learners to access post-secondary education in new and better ways online, and to leverage their learning through new and efficient programming such as micro-credentials. 

eCampusOntario’s support for the Micro-credential Strategy, closely aligned with the Virtual Learning Strategy, will significantly enhance the sector’s ability to encourage pandemic recovery, resilience and career advancement by offering all learners fast, affordable and industry-focused pathways for retraining, upskilling, and lifelong learning. 

Learn more about the Virtual Learning Strategy: https://vls.ecampusontario.ca/

Media contact: mediarelations@ecampusontario.ca