The Ontario government has announced $104 million to fund 3,604 seats at Queen’s University in Kingston. The seats are in STEM, education and health programs. The goal is to connect more students to in-demand careers.
The announcement was issued on 14 October 2026 by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
Key Highlights
- Investment: $104 million
- Seats funded: 3,604 at Queen’s University
- STEM: 2,496 seats
- Education: 836 seats
- Health: 272 seats
- Timeline: Seats are available as early as the fall 2026 academic year
What Is Ontario Funding?
Ontario says the funding will help more students train for good-paying jobs in high-demand fields. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, called it the largest seat expansion in Ontario in more than a decade.
The Queen’s allocation is part of a larger $1.7 billion plan. That plan supports more than 70,000 new postsecondary seats at publicly assisted colleges and universities across the province.
How the 3,604 Seats Break Down
Not all of these seats are brand new. According to Queen’s University:
- 2,116 seats already existed. They were previously unfunded under Ontario’s enrolment-based funding model.
- 1,488 seats are additional undergraduate seats. They will be phased in over several years, until the end of 2027-28.
Queen’s told Kingstonist that the programs receiving seats include:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (engineering)
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Education
How Ontario Picked the Seats
The first 30,000 seats were announced in May 2026. The province then opened a call for proposals for the remaining 40,000.
Colleges and universities sent in a Priority Growth Plan. Each plan showed the school’s strengths, local job needs and student demand. Ontario reviewed the plans based on school capacity, local industry needs and student demand. The ministry also received more than 1,000 letters of support from employers.
What Queen’s Said
Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s, welcomed the investment. He said Queen’s is committed to developing the skilled talent Ontario needs, and that the funding will help prepare more students for rewarding careers.
What This Means for Indian Students
For students in India who want to study in Canada, this news is a useful signal. It shows which fields Ontario is prioritizing: STEM, health and education.
Keep these points in mind:
- The funding is tied to Ontario’s enrolment-based model. This model supports operating grants for domestic enrolment. The sources do not say how many seats, if any, are open to international students.
- Do not assume more international spots. Check the admission rules and seat availability for your program directly with the university.
- Program choice matters. Fields linked to labour market demand often get policy attention. Still, your study plan should match your academic profile, budget and long-term goals.
- Plan early. Admission deadlines, document checks and study permit steps take time.
If you are exploring Ontario universities, our Canada student visa consultants in Ahmedabad and Surat can help you shortlist programs and prepare your application. If you are also thinking about life after your studies, read about Canada Express Entry. You can also contact SWEC to talk about your plans.
Official Source
Read the full announcement on the Ontario government news release.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security news release (14 October 2026)
- Queen’s Gazette, Queen’s University
- Kingstonist (16 October 2026)
