Press Release
Ontario is investing in free online textbooks and educational resources for students to make college and university more affordable and accessible.
Advanced Education and Skills Development minister Deb Matthews, also the minister responsible for digital government, made the announcement last week at eCampusOntario, alongside partners in digital education.
Ontario is partnering with eCampusOntario to develop and provide free and low-cost digital textbooks to students.
The Ontario Open Textbooks Initiative will focus on Ontario-specific content in areas where the most significant impact and cost-savings for students can be realized, including high-enrolment first-year courses, French language content, content for indigenous studies, trades and technical skills content, and content for new Canadians.
New materials developed for Ontario will be added to the eCampusOntario online library of free educational resources, which also launched last week.
Ontario also is supporting students through the new Ontario Student Assistance Program, which will provide free average tuition to more than 210,000 students starting this fall.
By next year, it’s estimated some 230,000 students receiving O.S.A.P. will have less debt.
