Ontario's Course Affordability Push: A Catalyst for Open Educational Resources?

In a recent webinar hosted by the UROpenEd Program, panelists explored the potential growth of Open Educational Resources (OERs) in response to provincial course affordability initiatives. Moderated by Brad Doerksen, the discussion featured Ann Ludbrook, Catherine Lachaine, and Erin Fields, who shared how Ontario institutions have responded to the Ministry's directive on affordability, the role of libraries in these efforts, and the current plans in British Columbia. The panel also examined the impact of Ontario's policies on OER adoption in course materials. The event highlighted the strategic importance of OERs in reducing student costs and the evolving landscape of educational resource accessibility in Canada.