Health News For Brampton

• As of March 2026, 260 OLSG recipients in nursing programs in eastern Ontario have either begun or completed their local service commitments and are already making an impact in local communities.
• The expansion will support communities in the Lakelands Public Health Unit, including Peterborough, the Kawarthas, Haliburton and Northumberland.
• Through the Ontario 2025 budget, the government invested $261.7 million into the Ontario Learn and Stay program to continue supporting nurses, paramedics, and lab techs who commit to working in high need regions of the province.
• As part of the government’s historic $6.4B long-term funding model, the government is investing $1.7B to fund 70,000 seats in key, labour-market driven sectors including health care.

"Today’s expansion of the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is a monumental win for not just the City and County of Peterborough, but also for healthcare from Haliburton to Northumberland and everywhere in between. By including nursing programs at both Trent University and Fleming College, we are making it possible for local students to pursue their dreams without the burden of tuition debt, provided they commit to serving our rural communities upon graduation. This investment ensures that the world-class health-care professionals trained right here in Peterborough set up roots in rural Ontario and build their careers where they now call home."

- David Smith
MPP for Peterborough–Kawartha

"Our government is investing in the future of health care by supporting the next generation of nurses, paramedics and lab technicians through a $14 million commitment. The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant removes financial barriers for students while helping ensure more highly skilled health-care professionals are trained, remain, and work in the communities that need them most. This investment will strengthen access to care and bring it closer to home for families across Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock."

- Laurie Scott
MPP for Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock

"Fleming College is proud to play a key role in supporting the health of our community and preparing the next generation of health-care talent. The Learn and Stay Grant will make a meaningful difference in recruiting and retaining health-care workers in Peterborough and surrounding area and will enable us to do even more to support the local health-care workforce."

- Theresa Knott
President of Sir Sandford Fleming College

"The inclusion of the Trent-Fleming School of Nursing in the Ontario Learn and Stay grant program allows us to advance two complimentary needs. First, this program reduces financial barriers for talented Trent-Fleming nursing students to complete their education. Second, the Learn and Stay will support a large under-served region of Ontario with additional health-care professionals who stay and work in the area. This grant applies to an important geography of Ontario that is comprised of both urban and rural regions with a catchment of thousands of families in south-eastern Ontario."

- Cathy Bruce
President and Vice-Chancellor of Trent University

"Expanding the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant is a strategic investment in strengthening Ontario’s nursing workforce. Colleges play a critical role in training job-ready graduates, and investments like this help ensure more students can access high-quality programs and build careers where they are needed most, which is critical to meeting Ontario’s growing demand for care and supporting healthier communities across the province."

- Maureen Adamson
President and CEO, Colleges Ontario

"This investment is an important step in expanding Ontario’s nursing workforce and improving access to high-quality care in our communities. By reducing financial barriers for students and expanding the grant in Eastern Ontario, more learners will pursue nursing education and build their careers in the communities that need them most. Ontario’s universities remain committed to preparing future-ready, highly skilled nurses who are equipped to deliver exceptional care and support the health and well-being of Ontarians."

- Steve Orsini
President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities

"WeRPN is pleased with the Ontario government's expansion of the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant to Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College. This investment is a key step in supporting aspiring RPNs by continuing to remove financial barriers to their education. Growing our nursing talent in Ontario will strengthen local health-care services and ensure communities have better access to the dedicated nurses they need, closer to home."

- Dianne Martin
CEO, Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (WeRPN)

"RNAO welcomes investments that expand access to nursing education and reduce financial barriers for students. Supporting more learners to study and practise in the communities where they are most needed is an important step toward strengthening Ontario’s nursing workforce. To fully realize these gains, let’s continue investing in safe staffing, healthy work environments, and retention strategies so nurses build long, sustainable careers across the province."

- Dr. Doris Grinspun
RN, BScN, MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), DHC, DHC, FAAN, FCAN, O.ONT, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)

"This expansion is great news for Northumberland-Peterborough South. This means more local students can train for careers in health care without the financial burden, and more of them will stay here to work after they graduate. That’s how we strengthen care close to home, by investing in people and building a workforce our region can count on."

- David Piccini
MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South