As of early 2023, government data indicates that at least 12 colleges in the province have entered into partnerships with private entities. Some notable collaborations include:
ILAC International College collaborating with both Fanshawe College and Georgian College in Toronto.
Trios College working with Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology in Toronto, and Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology at Trios College Business Technology Healthcare Inc in Brampton.
The Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology partnering with triOS College Business Technology Healthcare Inc in Mississauga.
CDI College Business, Technology and Healthcare operating with Algonquin College.
Stanford International College of Business and Technology collaborating with Canadore College.
Ace Acumen Academy partnering with St. Clair College.
Fleming College at Trebas Institute Ontario Inc.
Loyalist College at Toronto Business College.
Niagara College Canada at Toronto School of Management.
Sheridan College having a campus with Canadian College of Technology and Trades in Fort Erie.
Facing financial challenges, many of Ontario's institutions have turned to these partnerships with the private sector to augment their income. The province's public college market has seen substantial growth driven by private partnership revenues, rising from CAN$268.2 million in 2020/21 to $420.3 million in 2021/22, according to figures from Sheridan College.
Fanshawe College, in its 2022/23 annual report, highlighted the opening of its Toronto campus with ILAC in 2022 as an effort to establish sustainable revenue sources. Despite exceeding enrollment targets by 19%, reaching 1,267 students by the end of its first year, the recent government decision raises uncertainties about the future of this 10-year partnership.
Similarly, Sheridan College, which announced a campus with Canadian College of Technology and Trades in Fort Erie in May last year, expressed concerns in its annual report about the impact of political measures on growing international enrollment.
Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton, home to several public-private colleges, called for measures such as caps on international students and more links between student visas, institutions, and housing availability. He emphasized the responsibility of municipalities to create conditions for international students to thrive and criticized the exploitation of these students by colleges.
CICan has pointed out that many international students pursue post-graduate programs to align their degrees with Canadian qualifications. The group has urged increased provincial investment to sustain capacity and meet the needs of students, communities, and employers. They highlighted the risk to Canada's world-class education system without significant reinvestment.
While Sheridan declined to comment, Fanshawe had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
