BILL 33:
An Attack on Student Supports
Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, gives the Ontario government new powers to regulate student fees at colleges and universities. While framed as a “transparency” measure, the bill threatens to dismantle student-led services like food banks, counselling programs, and wellness supports that students have built and funded themselves. Students are concerned because this legislation strips away their ability to decide how to support one another, without providing any alternatives at a time of rising costs, food insecurity, and mental health crises.
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What Bill 33 Does
1. On May 29, 2025, Minister of Education Calandra introduced BILL 33, THE SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND STUDENTS ACT, 2025.
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2. Schedule 3 of the Bill proposes amendments to the MINISTRY OF TRAINING, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACT, including:
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a. New section 16.0.2 requires colleges of applied arts and technology and publicly-assisted universities to assess applicants based on merit and to publish the criteria and process to be used for assessment into programs of study. The Lieutenant Governor in Council is given authority to make related regulations.
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b. New section 21.1 authorizes regulations to be made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council governing fees that colleges of applied arts and technology or publicly-assisted universities may charge to students or require students to pay.
Why It Matters
Services at Risk:
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Campus food banks that help students who cannot afford groceries
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Counselling and crisis supports that provide timely access to mental health care
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Peer support programs that foster community and belonging
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Wellness initiatives that keep students healthy and engaged in their studies
The Consequences:
Without these supports, students will face more untreated mental health crises, more food insecurity, and more pressure to drop out. Families will be left worrying if their children can survive and succeed in college. Communities will feel the strain as local food banks and health services become even more overwhelmed.
The Government’s
Claim
The government says “Bill 33 is about accountability and transparency.”​​
The Reality
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Students already have strong accountability systems in place. Every dollar is overseen, audited, and approved through multiple channels:
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Elected student leaders who are directly accountable to their peers
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College administrations that review fee structures and compliance
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Boards of Governors that must approve fees and budgets
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Independent annual audits conducted by professional accountants
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Published budgets and reports available to all students
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Annual General Meetings where students can review, question, and vote on spending​
Transparency is already built into student governance. Bill 33 does not increase accountability, it simply hands the government the power to decide what resources students can access.Â
The Pattern
Bill 33 is not an isolated decision, it is part of a long political pattern of undervaluing students. Over the past several years, students have been asked to do more with less while the government has chosen not to invest in their success.
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2019 OSAP Cuts: Major reductions to financial aid
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The Student Choice Initiative: and an attempt to dismantle student-led supports through optional fees.
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Flat College Funding: Colleges have been forced to stretch the same dollars further every year, leading to layoffs, reduced services, and growing instability.
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High International Fees: Students and their families are covering more of the cost of education while government contributions shrink.
Impact on Communities
Bill 33 is not just a student issue. When student-led supports are weakened, the impact is felt across entire communities.
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Colleges and local communities rely on student associations to fill critical gaps in services that government and institutions do not cover. Campus food banks reduce pressure on already stretched community food programs. Student wellness initiatives and peer supports help keep students healthy, easing demand on local health services.
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Without these student-led services, the strain shifts outward. Local food banks see longer lines, health clinics face more demand, and families are left scrambling to provide the support that campuses can no longer deliver. In smaller towns where colleges are central to the local economy, these losses ripple even further.
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Bill 33 risks creating a province where students are left unsupported and communities are left to pick up the pieces.
Our Ask
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Meeting with Minister Nolan Quinn: We request a meeting with Minister Nolan Quinn to discuss the implications of Bill 33 for students, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their concerns and needs.
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Referral to Committee: We urge the House Leaders of all parties to support the referral of Bill 33 to the Standing Committee on Social Policy. This will facilitate a thorough review and allow for meaningful stakeholder input.
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Review of Section 21.1: Following the committee's examination, we call on the Ontario Government to give careful consideration to the removal of Section 21.1 of Bill 33, which currently empowers the Lieutenant Governor in Council to regulate student fees.
