The 60th anniversary of the start of Ontario’s college system
Sixty years ago, premier Bill Davis planted seeds for one of Ontario’s greatest success stories — the public college system. Today, that vision has stood the test of time.
In 1965, Davis introduced groundbreaking legislation that reshaped post-secondary education in Ontario. He recognized the urgent need for close-to-home, career-focused, labour-market-aligned education — a new stream that would lead more directly into the workforce. That vision became a reality with the founding of Ontario’s public colleges.
With 24 institutions in more than 100 locations today, his legacy is felt in every corner of the province. Colleges were made by Ontario, for Ontario. Davis himself called the college system one of his proudest achievements — and it’s easy to see why.
College graduates are the backbone of Ontario’s economy. They’re the doers, the makers, the builders — trained for impactful careers that support an economy driving the country forward.