Liberals ask Ontario auditor to review OSAP spending at career colleges

Ontario Liberals are asking the province’s auditor general to examine how student aid money has been spent and overseen at private career colleges. The request comes after Canadian Press reporting found that a sharp rise in Ontario Student Assistance Program spending was concentrated in a small number of career colleges. Career Colleges Ontario has previously raised concerns about the increases, and ministry inspectors later identified what they described as unusual activity. The issue has also led to legal action, with three Academy of Learning locations challenging the government’s decision to deny them OSAP loan eligibility for this year. Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn has said OSAP costs had become unsustainable and responded by reducing grant access for students at universities and publicly funded colleges while limiting career college students to loans.