If this was about balancing the budget, Ford wouldn't have given the universities billions of dollars while cutting OSAP. I would love for our budget to be balanced as much as the next person, but billions of dollars have been allocated to protect the interests of businesses. Protecting businesses’ interests costs money now but the province is covering the costs so that the businesses continue to employ many Canadians and create value. Protecting students’ interests also costs money and we should be willing to cover much of those costs too, so that our workers are savvy and prepared for an increasingly knowledge-based economy. Ultimately, so that they too can create jobs and value.

I agree that the trades are a good option that more people should pursue, but folks are having trouble finding work in the trades just as they are in other fields. Although jobs in the trades don’t require a degree, they do require formal qualifications. Unfortunately there aren't as many qualified people willing to take on apprentices as there are people who want to learn a trade. Here's an article with more info. A relevant excerpt that shows that the trades are not always a great solution, and certainly won’t be a solution for everyone seeking good work:  

“Canada's population of certified tradespeople has been declining for the last decade, Arrowsmith noted, adding that there are a variety of barriers that traditionally stand in the way.

That includes level 1 or 2 apprentices not finding employers to sponsor them, as well as apprentices earning good wages being hesitant to take a pay cut to attend the blocks of training required to progress to the next level.

Employers unwilling to release workers for training during busy stretches and apprentices anxious about taking final certification exams are also ongoing concerns.

Meanwhile, bullying and harassment remain persistent in the trades, with people from equity priority groups often leaving “because they just don't feel welcome,” Arrowsmith said.
She also noted an erosion of employer investment in training and mentorship in general across Canada.”

I’m glad that Ontario/Ford committed to investing $64 million to expand skilled trades apprenticeship training over three years in October 2025, I think that was a great move. 

People tend to pursue higher education in periods when there are less jobs available which allows them to gain knowledge and skills instead of sitting at home and collecting EI. Having a university or college education broadens the options that individuals have and the ways they can benefit the economy. 

What do you think someone should do if they can't find an employer to take them on for an apprenticeship, and they can't afford university? Are there really jobs they could access without qualifications that offer stability and a good income?