Ontario to crack down on private colleges
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | 12:21 PM ET
The Canadian Press
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Private career colleges in Ontario will face fines of up to $250,000 for taking advantage of students, starting next month.
The Liberal government announced the fines in response to a critical report from the provincial ombudsman about Bestech Academy, which operated campuses in Stoney Creek and St. Catharines.
Bestech Academy, which offered courses in gas technician training, closed last year leaving students and staff out of pocket.
The new penalties for private career colleges start with fines of $250 to $1,000 for first offences, and can escalate with repeat offences to a maximum of $250,000.
Colleges and Universities Minister John Milloy said the government will also appoint new provincial offences officers to inspect the 580 private career college campuses in Ontario.
"We will use every enforcement tool at our disposal to protect students and put a stop to illegal businesses masquerading as legitimate colleges," said Milloy in a statement.
There will also be a public relations campaign to help students choose a government-approved private career college program before enrolling.
The fines will not apply to Ontario's community colleges, even though the ombudsman found problems at Cambrian in Sudbury.
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