Premier Doug Ford had choice words for students expressing concerns over recent cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Tuesday, telling them to "not pick basket-weaving courses" and to invest in education that gives people in-demand jobs. Speaking to reporters at Queen's Park, Ford said he received "thousands of calls" from students over the long weekend, who expressed concerns about the province cutting the amount of grant money students can receive through OSAP. “I mentioned to the students, you have to invest in your future, into in-demand jobs,” he said. Ford said taxpayers want to know that the courses students are picking — and that they’re paying for — are going to help an in-demand jobs sector in the province. “That doesn’t fly with the taxpayers, I’ll tell you that right now,” said Ford.

Source: CBC News February 18, 2026 09:17 UTC