As Ontarians continue to wait on economist Don Drummond's report on reforming public services, news headlines highlighted the Premier's options, while columnists suggested some program changes.

Toronto Sun: McGuinty rolls budget dice 

If you missed out on Auditor General Jim McCarter's 2011 pre-election report -- or the speculation around Mr. Drummond's findings -- this is the article for you. The Toronto Sun has created a quick, easy and fun update on Drummond-McGuinty dialogue, and, while it doesn't get into much detail, it does provide a brief overview of where the NDP, PCs, and Liberals stand on the issue. PC Leader Tim Hudak is concerned that Premier McGuinty is backpeddling away from Drummond before his findings are even made public. When asked about the implications of following the economist’s path, McGuinty said that his overall goal is to lower the increasing rate of spending, rather than bringing it below zero.

Don Drummond joined us here on The Agenda a few months back. Here's what he had to say about economics in uncertain times:

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Toronto Star: Older students not eligible for Ontario tuition rebate

Ontario's mature post-secondary students, those who have waited more than four years before pursuing post-secondary education, are not eligible for Ontario's new tuition rebate.

The Star reports the news as the "fine print many failed to notice" about Queen’s Park’s $430 million rebate plan that gives $1,600 back to university students and $730 back to community college students, as long as their annual family income is below $160,000. In the piece, The Star interviews mature student Melissa Rae Stewart, who has $70,000 worth of student debt, a 14-year-old child, five university courses, and two part-time jobs. Rae Stewart is not eligible for the tuition rebate. When asked about the provision, McGuinty said the rebate was meant "specifically to help high school students overcome any immediate financial roadblock to higher learning."

McGuinty also noted that he had to draw the line somewhere, and that many mature students have access to help from a re-training program called Second Career.

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Toronto Star: Rick Miner: Does Ontario really need three new universities?

Rick Miner, president emeritus of Seneca College, questions the province's response to improving post-secondary education.

In order to reach its target of having 70 per cent of the workforce attain some level of higher learning, the province has asked whether or not we really need three new university campuses in Ontario.

Miner released a report last year which concluded that "in 10 years’ time, more than 700,000 people in Ontario will be unemployable due to insufficient education and training." He says that even though this projects to be a bleak situation for post-secondary education and training, the province's proposed strategy is not the answer. The administrative costs alone would inevitably creep up to more the size of four universities.

Click on the hyperlink above to read some of Miner's recommendations for a new university model.

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Toronto Sun: Blizzard: Does the reserve system work?

Last week, producer Daniel Kitts wrote about the crisis over the living conditions at the Attawapiskat reserve in northern Ontario. This week, columnist Christina Blizzard questions whether or not the reserve system works at all.

She writes: "It raises the inevitable question: Does the reserve system work? Or do we have to rethink how to deliver services to our first nations — especially remote ones such as Attawapiskat, where it’s tough to get supplies in to relieve the housing crisis?" Blizzard calls for changes to the Indian Act, citing fundamental disagreements between first nations of Attawapiskat and the government around how to resolve these issues.  

Tonight on The Agenda, Former Prime Minister Paul Martin joins Steve Paikin to discuss whether or not Aboriginal Canadians can improve their lives by participating in the Canadian political system. And tomorrow night, The Agenda looks at an important part of the issue Ms. Blizzard examined: Are remote reserves sustainable?

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To learn more about Ontario provincial politics, visit TVO's Civics 101 microsite.

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