The Ontario government is providing $10.8 million to re-launch French-language courses at the University of Sudbury in partnership with the University of Ottawa, expanding access to post-secondary education for francophone students in northern Ontario. Beginning in September 2025, the university will offer programs in health sciences, management and commerce, social sciences and arts. The funding will also support free tuition for the first year and a $1 million scholarship program to promote accessibility. “Our province’s francophone communities play a critical role in strengthening our highly skilled workforce, and we’re ensuring students have access to the education and training they need for rewarding careers,” said Nolan Quinn, the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, in a news release Monday. “Through this investment, our government is building a robust bilingual workforce to support a stronger, more competitive and self-reliant northern Ontario.” The University of Sudbury will provide 33 programs and study pathways developed with the University of Ottawa. Serge Miville, the university’s president and vice-chancellor, called the funding a “century-old dream” realized. “Today marks the realization of a century-old dream and stands as a testament to the determination of our entire community,” he said. “Together, we are shaping the future of a new generation of francophone and francophile leaders in the north.” Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Minister of Francophone Affairs, described the investment as historic. “This reflects our government’s commitment to strengthening access to French-language post-secondary education, especially in northern Ontario,” she said. “Because of this partnership, we are delivering on our promise to bolster Ontario’s francophonie as a social, cultural and economic engine for years to come.” Marie-Eve Sylvestre, the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ottawa, praised the collaboration. “Francophone communities in northeastern Ontario will now have access to a greater number of high-quality university programs in French that are aligned with the needs of the labour market,” she said. The province said the funding is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support small, northern, and rural post-secondary institutions in meeting workforce demands.
