Province Must Enforce Career College Standards
More than 27,000 students attend private career colleges in Ontario. This month, Ontario’s Ombudsman released his report into an investigation of one small career college, Bestech Academy Inc., with facilities in Stoney Creek and St. Catharines. Bestech had offered gas technician training, but the unregistered school closed after about two years. Complaints from former students led to the Ombudsman’s investigation.
While the investigation was confined to one private college, the Ombudsman’s recommendations would affect all private career colleges. One recommendation was for warnings to be made public on a website “buyer beware” list. The Ombudsman also called for posting notices at illegal private career colleges when they present a risk to the student consumer and for rigorous enforcement of the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 to the full extent of Ontario’s powers. In addition, Ombudsman André Marin also called for Bestech students to receive compensation, as warranted.
There is no question that private career colleges fulfill a need in providing opportunities for training and employment. However, as with any major purchase, the principle of “buyer beware” still applies. Students should do their research, check out the school’s credentials, and talk to current students and graduates before enrolling. Reputable career colleges won’t object to such scrutiny by prospective clients. Nor will reputable career colleges have any difficulty in complying with provincial laws. It is disappointing to learn that the provincial government is not doing enough to protect the consumer who is seeking re-training. An estimated 330,000 manufacturing jobs have already been lost in Ontario. That’s why there are more people looking for ways to improve their prospects through re-training or upgrading the skills they already have. Students deserve to know the education they are paying for meets provincial standards. It’s time for the McGuinty government to enforce the rules it already has governing private career colleges.
Province Seeks Input on Mental Health Strategy
One in every five Ontarians will experience a serious mental health illness or harmful substance use. This statistic is a reminder of why it is so important for communities and stakeholders to work together in developing policies on mental health and addictions. The Province of Ontario has released a discussion paper entitled Every Door is the Right Door. The discussion paper will help in the development of a 10-year mental health and addictions strategy. An all-party committee of the Ontario Legislature is also holding hearings into mental health strategies and priorities. Further information is available online at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care web site, www.health.gov.on.ca .
Ontario Announces $25 Million for Literacy
The Province of Ontario is investing $25 million in colleges, school boards and community literacy organizations in the Employment Ontario network to help laid-off workers and other adult learners train for highly skilled jobs. In addition, Ontario is providing $5 million this year to expand online literacy training. Funding for research projects to help adult learners and to develop a province-wide curriculum for adult literacy training was also announced. Last February, a resolution from Opposition MPP Garfield Dunlop on community literacy programs received all-party support in the Legislature. Mr. Dunlop, a strong advocate for literacy and basic skills development, emphasized in his resolution the importance of community-based literacy initiatives. For over 10 years, the Literacy Network of Durham Region has offered information referral service, and support for literacy programs in Durham. They may be reached at their Read Hotline: 1-800-263-0993.
New Provincial Sales Tax Hits Renters Hard
According to the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario, a tenant paying $1000 a month will see the cost of their rent increase between $270 and $320 per year. This is a direct result of Premier McGuinty’s new harmonized sales tax of 13%. That amount represents the impact of adding 8% to rent-related goods and services which previously did not face the provincial sales tax. These goods and services include: repair, maintenance and property management services, natural gas and electricity. In addition, the new provincial tax will slap another 8% tax on: cable, cell phone and internet services. More than one-quarter of renters will also see an immediate jump in their utility costs as a result of paying directly for utilities that are not included in rent.
Under the watch of this government, Ontario has lost 330,000 manufacturing jobs, the unemployment rate is among the highest in Canada, and the budget deficit next year is forecasted to be the highest in history – more than $18 billion. For the first time ever, Ontario is a “have-not” province receiving equalization payments from the federal government. In today’s economy, the addition of eight per cent PST on so many goods and services not already subject to the provincial tax is something Ontario cannot afford.
For a full list of items that will be taxed under the proposed extension of the provincial sales tax and to sign a petition, visit www.daltonsalestax.com
New Rules for “Payday Loans”
Starting July 1, there are new consumer protections for users of payday loans in Ontario. One of the changes in effect includes the prohibition of concurrent and “rollover” loans. In addition, payday loan borrowers have a two-day “cooling-off” period, in which they may cancel a payday loan contract with no reason and without incurring a penalty. Payday loan borrowers must receive a written copy of their payday loan agreement, which must contain mandatory text about cancellation rights and certain refund rights. The agreement must also set out the amount of the loan, when the loan is due, and the total cost of borrowing.
Royal Visit Scheduled for November 2009
Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Ontario in November 2009. In addition to Ontario, they will tour Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, British Columbia and the National Capital Region. A detailed itinerary will be published at a later date.
