Ontario Students Protest Ford Government’s OSAP Revisions
On Wednesday afternoon, a large group of students gathered at Queen’s Park to express their discontent with the Ford government’s recent revisions to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Protesters chanted slogans such as “hands off our education,” and “Doug Ford has got to go,” highlighting their concerns about rising tuition costs.
Protests Against OSAP Changes
The rally, organized by the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario, brought attention to how these changes would impact students’ ability to afford post-secondary education. Omar Mousa, a representative from the federation, emphasized that increased tuition fees were forcing students into severe debt just to access education, which he described as a fundamental human right.
Key Changes to Student Funding
This protest was sparked by revisions the government made in February, which included:
- Introduction of new funding for colleges and universities.
- Unfreezing of tuition rates.
- Shifting the OSAP funding structure from 85% grants and 15% loans to a maximum of 25% grants.
Premier Doug Ford defended the changes, suggesting that moving from grants to loans would create accountability among students receiving financial aid. He stated, “You are taking tax dollars and you have to be held accountable.”
Concerns About Exclusion
Cyrielle Ngeleka, another spokesperson from the student federation, expressed that the government was neglecting over 350,000 students. She criticized the lack of consultation with students regarding significant decisions affecting their education, which conveys a message about whom the government values.
Government’s Justification and Fraud Investigations
The Ministry of Colleges and Universities maintains that these changes are necessary for the financial sustainability of the OSAP program. Reports indicated 862 potential fraud investigations in 2024, with numbers slightly increasing to 902 in 2025. However, the ministry did not provide details on the outcomes or the financial implications of these investigations.
Opposition Response
Opposition parties have voiced strong criticism against the government’s approach. The Ontario NDP’s “Save OSAP” campaign reported garnering 30,000 signups and large volumes of communication targeting Progressive Conservative Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).
Throughout the protest, Toronto police were unable to formally estimate the crowd size, but the energy and passion exhibited by students clearly demonstrated their resolve to push back against the Ford government’s revisions to OSAP.
