Kawartha Lakes Councillors back funding support for Fleming College

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Recognizing its importance to the local economy and workforce development, councillors in the City of Kawartha Lakes are calling on the province to strengthen funding for Ontario’s college system, to ensure the continued success of the Frost Campus of Fleming College.

At its meeting, on February 24th, council passed a resolution, brought forward by Ward 3 Councillor Mark Doble, requesting the Province of Ontario increase and strengthen the provincial funding model for colleges. The motion aims to ensure the Frost Campus, in Lindsay, remains a vital educational institution and economic driver for the region.

Council directed a copy of the resolution be forwarded to: Doug Ford; the provincial Ministers of Colleges and Universities and Labour; Immigration; Training and Skills Development; the Chief Executive Officer of Colleges Ontario; the president and board of governors of Fleming College; and local MPP Laurie Scott.

The resolution follows a memorandum, introduced, by Mr. Doble, during council’s February 10th meeting, outlining the importance of the Frost Campus to the community.

Located in Lindsay, the Frost Campus, named after former Ontario premier and Lindsay resident Leslie Frost, was established more than 50 years ago, as one of Ontario’s original 13 community colleges. Over the decades, it has become a historic and cultural centre of education, with significant impact on the social and economic well-being of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Council’s motion comes as the provincial government reviews its post-secondary funding formula. In a recent pre-budget submission, Maureen Adamson warned, Ontario colleges are facing severe financial strain, due to an outdated and unsustainable provincial funding model.

“The province needs to invest, to protect access to education and training which communities and employers rely on,” Ms. Adamson said, in the submission. “Without immediate support, program closures will accelerate, access for domestic students will shrink, and Ontario will lose workforce capacity, needed for economic growth and to fill much-needed jobs in construction, energy, mining, manufacturing and health care.”

Council’s memorandum notes, the Frost Campus is a major employer in Kawartha Lakes. Any reductions to programming or staffing could have direct impacts on the local economy, including reduced workforce development opportunities, lower demand for student housing, and decreased economic activity in the community.

The campus has also received national recognition for its academic programs. In December of 2025, it was announced by Research Infosource Inc., Fleming College climbed from 31st to 17th in the organization’s annual Top 50 Research Colleges, in Canada rankings.

Among medium-sized colleges, Fleming ranked first in industry research income growth, recording a 300 percent increase in industry funding compared to previous years.

Council’s memorandum emphasizes, Frost Campus has played a key role in supporting skilled trades and specialized training programs which are increasingly in demand across Ontario and Canada.

With the province currently reviewing its funding model, for post-secondary institutions, council argues, now is a critical time to ensure colleges receive the resources necessary to continue serving their communities.

By strengthening the funding model, council said, the province can help safeguard jobs, maintain high-quality programming and ensure Frost Campus continues to serve as a sustainable and growing driver of economic development and educational opportunity, within the City of Kawartha Lakes.