Province walks back on promise to fund campuses

TORONTO — Critics accused the Ontario government on Tuesday of breaking its promises by cancelling funding for three Torontoarea post-secondary campuses, noting some Progressive Conservatives previously expressed support for the projects.

The Opposition New Democrats said Progressive Conservative legislators have praised the projects in Markham, Milton and Brampton, and at least one vowed to champion them if elected this spring.

A local news report shows Tory legislator Parm Gill said in April that a Progressive Conservative government would do everything it could to make the campus in Milton, Ont., a reality.

Another Tory legislator, Billy Pang, said in the legislature this summer that the planned Markham campus would benefit residents in the area.

“PC candidates spent the last campaign promising that these campuses would go ahead,” NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said in the legislature. “Why did the government break their word to the parents and students in these communities who were promised a university?”

“Quite frankly, I reject the premise of the question,” replied Merrilee Fullerton, the minister of training, colleges and universities.

“The Liberals shattered the trust of Ontarians. Our focus is on restoring trust and accountability in Ontario’s finances, and that is what we will do.”