Ontario Investing $1M to Expand Nursing Enrollment in Windsor
August 7, 2025
Investment in nursing program at University of Windsor will train 25 more nurses to connect people to care in Windsor–Essex
WINDSOR — The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect the province’s health-care system by investing $1,000,400 to expand enrolment in nursing programs at the University of Windsor, training up to 25 additional nurses by 2029. This investment will help build the pipeline of highly skilled nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses that are needed to meet the growing need for more nurses in Windsor–Essex hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres and primary care clinics.
“In order to build a strong and sustainable health care system, we need to invest in the people who make it work. That’s why our government continues to invest in the nursing program at the University of Windsor and in institutions across the province — to ensure we are training the next generation of highly skilled, compassionate nurses who will care for our communities now and in the years ahead.”
In June of this year, Ontario committed $750,000 to support the inclusion of RN prescribing education into the nursing curriculum at the University of Windsor, Georgian College (Barrie) and Humber Polytechnic (Toronto) enabling nurses to play a greater role in patient care by prescribing medication. This investment makes Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to include RN prescribing in undergraduate programs.
“Nurses are an integral part of Ontario’s health care system, providing life-saving and compassionate care when patients need it the most,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is growing our critical health care workforce and protecting Ontario’s access to excellent care, close to home, now and into the future.”
This funding is part of a larger $56.8 million investment to expand enrolment in nursing programs across the province, adding 2,200 nursing professionals to Ontario’s health care workforce by 2029 to meet the growing need for more nurses in Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres and primary care clinics.
“Our government is continuing to take bold action to protect Ontario’s health-care system,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By ensuring more people can become nurses in Ontario, we are building on our progress to strengthen the province’s world-class nursing workforce for years to come.”
As part of this investment, Ontario is expanding registration in online nursing pathways. These programs will enable personal support workers and registered practical nurses to advance their education and continue serving their communities.
As a critical step in connecting everyone in Ontario to excellent care, our government continues to make decisive investments into college and university programs that strengthen our workforce of tomorrow and protect Ontario for generations to come.
“Our government is improving long-term care by training, hiring and retaining thousands of health-care workers,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “As a Registered Nurse, I know how impactful these investments will be to ensure we have the staff to deliver high quality care to Ontario’s long-term care residents.”
Quick Facts
- Since 2018, Ontario has supported a record-breaking number of new health-care professionals in joining the workforce, adding nearly 100,000 new nurses to the workforce, with another 30,000 students currently studying at Ontario colleges and universities to become nurses.
- Through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, the government is increasing the number of nurses, paramedics and medical laboratory technologists in communities of greatest need across the province.
- Since its launch in 2023–24, the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant has provided over $95 million in support to more than 8,200 students.
- Through this investment, 15,000 users will be able to register in the online nursing pathway programs.
- This investment also includes $7.5M for universities to upgrade their nursing equipment and laboratory facilities.
- In June, Ontario announced it is expanding its nursing workforce with a $4.2 million investment to accelerate nursing programs and add seats in rural and northern programs.
Additional Resources
2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
Ontario Continues to Expand Nursing Workforce
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