August 27, 2025
$5,300,000 investment into Lakehead University will prepare students for successful futures by training more teachers
August 26th, 2025
Thunder Bay — The Ontario government is expanding the province’s teaching workforce by investing $5,300,000 to add 488 teaching seats at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. This investment supports the government’s plan to protect Ontario by ensuring schools in Thunder Bay have the teachers they need to prepare students for successful careers and good-paying, in-demand jobs.
“Teachers play a vital role in ensuring our children receive a strong start to their future education and careers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is protecting our children’s future by expanding teaching capacity and bringing more highly qualified teachers to communities across Ontario.”
This funding is a part of the Ontario government’s $55.8M investment to get up to 2,600 new teachers into classrooms by 2027, with an emphasis for technological education, as well as underserved areas like French, northern, rural, Indigenous and remote regions that need teachers the most.
“This investment in Lakehead University is an investment in the future of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. By expanding teaching seats, we are ensuring that students in our communities have access to the qualified educators they need.” said The Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan “Our government is strengthening opportunities in the North while preparing young people for rewarding, good-paying jobs of tomorrow.”
“We are focused on helping students succeed, and that begins with having qualified and ready teachers in every classroom,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “By expanding teacher training seats in high-demand areas like French, technology, and in rural and northern communities, we’re helping schools fill gaps and giving students the support they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”
“We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for this important investment in Lakehead University. With $5.3 million to support 488 new teacher education seats, we will prepare future educators who will change lives, empower communities, and strengthen Ontario’s schools. “ said Gillian Siddall, President of Lakehead University ”This investment reflects confidence in Lakehead’s role as a university that serves the regions we call home and ensures we can continue training teachers who bring knowledge, innovation, and cultural understanding into classrooms across the province.”
By increasing the province’s pipeline of highly skilled teachers, our government is ensuring that all children and youth in Thunder Bay gain practical skills for the jobs of tomorrow.
Additional Resources
Ontario Building Province’s Teaching Workforce: MCURES Newsroom
2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario
Ontario to Introduce Legislation to Strengthen School Board Oversight
Ontario Providing Record Education Funding while Ensuring School Board Accountability
Ontario Increasing School Board Accountability to Protect Students, Families and Taxpayer Funds