The Council of Ontario Universities welcomed an announcement Thursday that the provincial government is extending for one year a cap of five per cent on overall tuition fee increases at its colleges and universities.

COU chair Alastair Summerlee said the move will enable universities to protect the gains that have been made through the government’s major investments in higher education.

“We welcome and appreciate the commitment to the quality of higher education that has been made by maintaining the current tuition framework for the coming year,” he said. “This allows universities to meet the needs of a growing number of students and provide them with the quality education and services they deserve.”

Thursday’s announcement by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities also pledged consultation with institutions, organizations and students on a new multi-year tuition policy to be in place for fall 2013.

Read the announcement “Tuition cap extended, new fees frozen.”

Read Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Glen Murray’s statement, “Tuition framework extended for colleges and universities.”

Read the COU release, “Ontario universities appreciate government’s support for postsecondary education.”