Private career colleges that offer unapproved programs in Ontario now face fines of up to $25,000. The measure is part of the province’s Private Career Colleges Act, which took effect on Nov. 1.
Ontario has 580 registered private career college campuses. Penalties will range from $250 to $1,000 daily for a first offence and can escalate with repeated offences.
Previously, students who enrolled in institutions with unaccredited programs had no protection and no ways of getting reimbursed. Last year, Bestech Academy simply closed down its campuses in St. Catherines and Stoney Creek.
“Work on the private career colleges has been going on for quite some time. It was one of the recommendations that came from the ombudsman’s report [about Bestech] that was released earlier this summer,” said Annette Phillips, media spokesperson for the Minister of Training and Colleges.
In September, Toronto Star reporter Diana Zlomislic went undercover at an unlicensed college. Zlomislic obtained a certificate from the Ontario Academy of Science & Technology to practice as a personal support worker after watching instructional DVDs and reading Wikipedia excerpts for two weeks.
The McGuinty government has appointed enforcement officers to inspect and fine fraudulent private colleges. Ontario has also started a campaign to inform students and encourage them to research colleges through pamphlets, posters, Facebook, and the province’s website before signing any contracts.
