Ontario Refers Private Career College Funding Case to Police, Raising Concerns Among Punjabi Students

The Ontario government has referred matters involving student financial assistance payments at private career colleges to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for investigation. Preliminary audit findings have raised serious concerns about transparency and oversight within the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn said the provincial government had launched targeted investigations into private career colleges amid growing concerns about the use of OSAP funding. The government subsequently commissioned accounting firm KPMG to conduct a broader review.
Preliminary Audit Identifies Several Gaps
The initial findings have highlighted several potential shortcomings, including joint ownership links between colleges and immigration service firms, inadequate student verification procedures, and an unusually high concentration of OSAP applications originating from similar geographic areas.
The provincial government has informed the Auditor General about the matter and asked the OPP to investigate. No formal charges have been announced so far.
OSAP Payments Temporarily Suspended
The investigation forms part of a wider government crackdown on Ontario’s private career college sector. Previously reported figures indicate that seven career colleges received approximately 385 million Canadian dollars in OSAP grants during the 2024–25 academic year.
While the audit continues, the provincial government has temporarily suspended OSAP payments to students attending private career colleges. The decision has created uncertainty for both educational institutions and students.
Punjabi Community Closely Watching Developments
The developments have drawn attention within the Punjabi community, as young people from Punjab make up a significant share of the international student population at career colleges in Ontario.
Most international students are not eligible for OSAP and are therefore not directly affected by the funding freeze. However, any further action against colleges could create difficulties involving courses, admissions and student services.
The provincial government has not announced any immigration action against students in connection with the investigation.
Career Colleges Association Seeks Restoration of Funding
Career Colleges Ontario has urged the government to restore financial assistance for students whose OSAP applications had already been approved and who are attending classes.
The association has argued that any investigation should focus on institutions found responsible for wrongdoing rather than students who relied on approved financial assistance to pursue their education.
Earlier Protests Over Post-Graduation Work Permits
The latest developments come after more than 1,000 Punjabi students staged a protest in Calgary in July against the rejection of their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications.
According to the report, the students had been attracted to the programme by an immigration firm based in Jalandhar. The firm’s owner was also a co-owner of the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy (CIOT).
The ongoing OSAP investigation has added to concerns surrounding private career colleges, student funding and access to educational and post-study opportunities in Canada.