A Guide to the Key PC Policies to Watch for Students at U of O
On Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, University of Ottawa students lined up at polling stations to cast their votes in Ontario’s unprecedented snap election — so what comes next?
Election Results: Progressive Conservatives Secure a Third-Term
Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative (PC) party won a decisive victory, securing 80 seats in the Ontario legislature. This marks the party’s third consecutive term in government , a feat not achieved since the 1950’s.
Ford’s decision to call an early election was driven by economic concerns, including the shifting trade relationship between Canada and the United States.
The new Ontario legislature is composed of 80 PCs, 27 New Democrats, 14 Liberals, 2 Green, and 1 Independent Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs). Under a majority government, the PC’s have the ability to pass legislation with minimal opposition.
The policy decisions made in the coming years will have a direct impact for students, particularly in areas of education, housing, and healthcare — with Ford’s PCs set to govern for at least four more years, the implications for students could be significant.
Education: OSAP and Post-Secondary Funding
Ford’s PC’s have made several changes to Ontario’s education system. An emphasis on skilled trades, curriculum updates, and post-secondary funding reforms are among the most significant.
Ford’s PC’s have faced criticism for their defunding of Ontario’s education system — particularly for post-secondary institutions. According to the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario, Ontario students receive the lowest domestic funding anywhere in Canada on a per-student basis.
For students, the provincial education funding structure impacts tuition, financial assistance, and on-campus resources. In 2019, Ford introduced changes to OSAP-the Ontario Student Assistance Program — which provides the necessary loans and grants for over one-third of post-secondary students in Ontario according to the 2017–2018 audit.
Ford re-modeled the program — introducing major changes that included tightening eligibility and loan repayments requirements. a 10 per cent tuition reduction and freeze for domestic students that has extended until at least 2026.
These measures lowered cost for domestic students, although post-secondary institutions did not receive provincial compensation for lost revenue. As a result, many institutions, including the U of O, had to make budget adjustments such as cutting the class offerings, eliminating the undergraduate merit scholarship, and raising the out-of-province and international students fees.
In 2024, the federal government announced a reduction in international study permits by 35 per cent, followed by an additional 10 per cent cut in 2025.
The Ford government supported these reductions, citing concerns that institutions have relied heavily on international tuition revenue, without expanding infrastructure and student support needs — in particular, the role this plays in the student housing crisis.
However, some higher education advocates — including the Ontario’s Confederation of University Faculty Association — have warned that a combination of reduced public funding, fewer international students, and frozen domestic tuition rates could create financial challenges for institutions. For some, it already has.
Looking ahead, the Ford government has signaled a continued focus on skilled trades, apprenticeships, and job-focused education funding. Ultimately, they are prioritizing Ontario students, stating that he “wants 100 per cent of Ontario students going to these [Ontario] universities”.
These trends also suggest that Ontario students are less likely to see significant increases in public post-secondary funding, research funding, or student support services.
Housing: Addressing the Student Housing Shortage
Housing remains a pressing issue for students at the University of Ottawa, with Ottawa ranking among the most expensive rental markets in Canada. Many students are particularly concerned with the availability of affordable housing close to campus.
Ford’s government has taken various steps to address Ontario’s housing shortage, focusing on municipal infrastructure, expanding skilled trades programs, and setting a target of 1.5 million new housing units to be built by 2031. Legislation such as the Helping Home Buyers, Protecting Tenants Act, and More Homes Built Faster Act introduced policies that accelerated home construction, and cracked against unlawful evictions.
Ford’s government was also responsible for Bill 57 — legislation that rolled back all rent control in Ontario.
Supporters argued that this incentivised new construction for landlords and private developers — but critics argued that it is a profit-driven choice that guarantees financial instability for tenants — particularly for students who have limited income and must compete in high-demand property areas.
Ford has also partnered with municipalities and private developers to encourage further construction of additional student housing — though concerns remain about affordability and accessibility. Additional initiatives such as investments in water infrastructure, modular housing have been introduced to lower red tape and reduce future development costs.
Whether these measures will be meaningful to improving the student housing crisis remains to be seen.
Healthcare: Access and Affordability
Students rely on Ontario’s healthcare system for routine medical needs, mental health services, prescription medication, and more.
Under the Ontario Health Care Insurance Plan (OHIP), essential medical services such as hospital stays, diagnostic testing, and specialist visits are covered. Additionally, residents under 24 have access to prescription drugs free of charge.
The Ford government scaled back this OHIP+ eligibility to create a more cost-effective plan, reducing the age of drug coverage from 25 to 24, and requiring those under 24 to use private insurance first before accessing public coverage.
Other key healthcare legislation introduced under Ford includes Bill 60–Your Health Act, which expands the roles of private health clinics to reduce wait times; repealed Bill 124–Protecting Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, which capped public sector wage increases to 1 per cent per year, and was later struck down in court; and Bill 7–More Beds, Better Care Act, which allows the transfer of elderly patients to long-term care facilities to free up beds and wait times in hospitals.
The Ford government has argued that these policies aim to reduce wait times and increase capacity, but critics warn that increased privatization and underfunding will exacerbate healthcare inequality.
Last year, the Canadian Association of Mental Health reported that over one-third of Ontario students reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, representing a high need for mental healthcare. Although many are faced with emergency room delays, and lengthy wait times for mental health services.
Since 2018, the Ford government has committed 3.8 billion dollar investment over 10 years into Ontario’s mental health and addictions services. As of 2024, over 500 million dollars has been allocated, with an additional 396 million pledged. However, some advocates argue that a funding gap remains, particularly for post-secondary mental health resources.
Moving Forward
With a renewed PC majority government, students at the University of Ottawa can expect continued education, healthcare, and housing policies in line with Ford’s previous legislative agenda.
While the federal government controls immigration, trade, and student loan repayment policies, the province plays a key role in tuition affordability, rental regulations, and healthcare access, all of which will continue to impact student life in the coming years. This means both levels of governments share the responsibility in addressing and finding solutions to these challenges.
While the next federal election was initially scheduled for October 2025, an early election has been called for April 28th. As provincial and federal policies intersect, students may see changes coming to education funding, international student regulations, and housing affordability in the near future.
Whether students are concerned or excited about the future of Ontario under the Ford government, the upcoming election offers an important opportunity for students to engage in the political process and make their voices heard!
