Act
Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024
Regulation Number(s):
NA
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) is working closely with our partners to build a healthy, vibrant, student-centred postsecondary system. MCU is proposing legislation that, if passed, would help create the right conditions for student success and well-being at Ontario's publicly assisted colleges and universities.
Some key challenges that these proposed legislative changes address are:
o Students' mental health services are in high demand;
o Incidents of hate and racism are creating unsafe environments for students on campus;
o Students lack clarity on value for money on costs associated with attendance, including
educational materials and ancillary fees.
In response, MCU is proposing legislation that will support the ministry in providing guidance and direction to publicly-assisted colleges and universities with regard to mental health policies; addressing incidents of racism and hate on campus; and transparency around ancillary fees and educational material costs.
The proposed amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (MTCU Act) would seek to improve students' access to information related to the costs of ancillary fees and education materials; to strengthen policies and processes to address hate and racism to improve the student experience; and to ensure institutions develop and implement mental health policies.
These measures (i.e., enhanced student mental health supports, greater ancillary fee transparency, and safer and more inclusive learning environments by requiring processes in place to address incidents of hate and racism on campus) would help create supportive learning environments that better prepare students to be successful.
Some key challenges that these proposed legislative changes address are:
o Students' mental health services are in high demand;
o Incidents of hate and racism are creating unsafe environments for students on campus;
o Students lack clarity on value for money on costs associated with attendance, including
educational materials and ancillary fees.
In response, MCU is proposing legislation that will support the ministry in providing guidance and direction to publicly-assisted colleges and universities with regard to mental health policies; addressing incidents of racism and hate on campus; and transparency around ancillary fees and educational material costs.
The proposed amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act (MTCU Act) would seek to improve students' access to information related to the costs of ancillary fees and education materials; to strengthen policies and processes to address hate and racism to improve the student experience; and to ensure institutions develop and implement mental health policies.
These measures (i.e., enhanced student mental health supports, greater ancillary fee transparency, and safer and more inclusive learning environments by requiring processes in place to address incidents of hate and racism on campus) would help create supportive learning environments that better prepare students to be successful.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Postsecondary institutions may incur increased administrative costs as a result of this legislative amendment. MCU may consult with individual stakeholders on the cost impact of amendments to the MTCU Act.
Further Information:
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act
Proposal Number:
24-MCU007
Posting Date:
February 26, 2024
Comments Due Date:
March 27, 2024
Contact Address:
Ministry of Colleges and Universities, 16th Floor, 315 Front Street, Toronto, ON M5V 3A4