The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to protect the province’s health-care system by expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (OLSG) to include two new medical laboratory programs in Northern Ontario.
Building on the success of OLSG, students participating in the medical laboratory technology program at Canadore College and the medical laboratory science program at Confederation College will be able to have their tuition, books and other educational costs fully covered if they commit to working in Northern Ontario after graduation. This further bolsters Ontario’s highly skilled health-care workforce in the North, helping more people conveniently connect to care, close to home.
“Through the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, our government is bringing highly skilled health-care workers to communities and families that need them most,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “With two new OLSG-eligible medical laboratory programs in Northern Ontario, we’re removing financial barriers to help passionate, dedicated students pursue a world-class education, while connecting more people to high-quality care in their community.”
Both programs are slated to begin welcoming students in fall 2026. Students can learn more about the grant application, as well as information about other eligible programs and regions, at ontario.ca/learnandstay.
This expansion builds on the thousands of highly trained nurses, paramedics and medical laboratory technologists who have been or will be added to the workforce in high-need regions of the province with the support of OLSG. Since its launch in 2023, the government has invested more than $171 million to support 12,700 learners across the province. This includes more than $53 million invested in the North to train 3,850 future health-care workers.
“Our government is continuing to take bold action to ensure Northern Ontario has a strong health-care workforce now and for years to come,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “With these two new medical laboratory programs under the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, we are making it easier for people to access education and build their careers in the North, connecting more families to the care they need closer to home.”
As of January 2026, there are 200 OLSG students in nursing and paramedicine programs that have either begun or completed their local service commitments and are already delivering exceptional care in communities across Northern Ontario.
“Strengthening community health care is a strategic investment in Northern Ontario’s future,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “By expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, we’re helping train and retain health-care workers in the North, making it easier for people to put down roots, raise families, and build careers. This stability supports local businesses, attracts new workers, and will drive long-term growth across the North.”
The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is a critical part of the Ontario government’s plan to protect the province’s health-care system and highly skilled workforce to ensure people and their families have access to high-quality health care, close to home.
