“Students will bear the brunt”: CFS-O straps in for fight against Ford government’s OSAP and tuition changes
The Canadian Federation of Students—Ontario says it plans to sustain its opposition to the province’s cuts to OSAP and tuition fee increases.

On February 12, the Provincial government announced significant changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), which will come into effect in the 2026-2027 academic year. Starting September 2026, OSAP applicants will receive a maximum of 25 per cent of their OSAP funding as grants and a minimum of 75 per cent as loans. This restructuring flips the funding ratio, which currently allows OSAP applicants to receive a maximum of 85 per cent in grants and a minimum of 15 per cent in loans. 

These changes to OSAP are accompanied by C$6.4 billion in funding to the post-secondary education sector and an end to the 2019 domestic tuition freeze—effectively allowing public universities to raise tuition costs by two per cent every year.

According to the provincial government’s press release, this “historic investment” in the post-secondary sector aims to reward “in-demand careers that meet labour market needs,” preserve access to high-quality education, and ensure “long-term sustainability” as Ontario continues its position as a powerhouse for “world-class research excellence.”

Since the announcement, several student unions, including the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU) and the Ontario Canadian Federation of Students (CFS-O), have expressed deep concerns in response to these changes, which, according to an Instagram post by the CFS-O on February 13, has left many students with unanswered questions about the future of education, especially in light of Bill 33 being passed. The post reads: “This ‘generational announcement’ seems to benefit institutions while ignoring the realities of students. The only thing generational will be the mounting generational debt to pursue an education.”

The UTMSU is a member of the Canadian Federation of Students, which represents hundreds of thousands of post-secondary students nationwide. The Ontario division of the federation represents roughly 350,000 students across the province.

Behind the changes

When asked about what these restructurings reveal about public education in Ontario, a CFS-O spokesperson wrote in an email interview with The Medium, “It’s clear that the government has finally recognized that institutions are suffering due to the lack of funding—but instead of providing direct and sustained funding to the post secondary education sector to alleviate the burden from students, this announcement creates additional financial barriers that will deter students from accessing a postsecondary education.” 

Echoing the concerns of unions, students, and politicians, these OSAP cuts reveal a larger issue surrounding the chronic underfunding of public education in the Province. For example, Premier Doug Ford’s government implemented a 10 per cent cut to domestic tuition fees and subsequently froze them for seven years.

According to the CFS-O, “the Federation made it clear that a tuition freeze without adequate funding would lead our academic institutions into the red. Now, 7 years later, we’re seeing the exact same issues we predicted.” 

On February 19, the CFS-O hosted a province-wide virtual town hall for interested students to learn about organizing strategies. The town hall also platformed the voices of students who shared personal stories of how Ford’s cuts would impact their education.

At the event, U of T student Vansh Gill stated that reduced grants would impact students who need to pursue a fifth year—a common occurrence at U of T. Gill said that their mother is also disabled and unable to financially support her children’s post-secondary pursuits, which has discouraged Gill’s younger brother from considering university. “It’s so disheartening to see such young people discouraged and upset about their financial situation in the future.”

Mahek Rahman, a grade 12 student in the Niagara region, also expressed similar anxieties about her education and is planning a walkout at her local high school. “It really feels like—especially with the timing of [Ford’s announcement]—that I’ve gotten to the finish line, and right now, I’m seeing the goal post being moved a kilometre away.” Criticizing the timing of these cuts, Rahman, who was recently accepted into Western University’s Health Sciences program, questions whether she will be able to attend her “dream university” given her reliance on grants. 

In the email interview, CFS-O notes that “students are upset and angry over these changes, and refuse to stand idly by as this government actively dismantles our education.”

Sustaining the movement: ‘Week of action’ at UTM

Since Ford’s announcement, the CFS-O has begun to “collectively organize and mobilize against the direct attacks on education and working class people” through targeted tactics. These include walkouts, rallies, marches, email agitation, and virtual petitions directed at members of Ford’s cabinet.

From March 18 to 24, Ontario universities and colleges will hold the “Week of Action,” a series of events dedicated to fighting for “accessible education.” As part of this initiative, on March 18, the UTMSU hosted a “Town Hall: OSAP and Tuition Increases”, featuring a Q&A session with Iqra Khalid, a federal Member of Parliament for the riding of Mississauga-Erin Mills.

During the opening remarks, UTMSU President Andrew Park said, “This is not an isolated incident; it’s a pattern. From the Student Choice Initiative in 2019 and most recently, Bill 33, the Government has made it clear that their priority is not for the students.” Park also stated that representatives from U of T and the Conservative Party were invited to speak, but did not provide a response. 

UTM’s Week of Action will also include a rally at Queen’s Park on March 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sustained student power remains at the centre of the fight against OSAP cuts. When asked whether the CFS-O has any long-term plans for supporting student mobilization into the summer and fall, the spokesperson wrote in the email interview: “The Federation will continue to organize, mobilize, and escalate alongside students until the government gets their hands off our education!”