Information on operating grants for Ontario universities in 1983-84 is presented. Indicators of public support for universities in Ontario and other Canadian provinces are compared, and indicators of government support for various public expenditures within Ontario, including universities, are examined. Both interprovincial and intraprovincial comparisons of publicly funded sectors in Ontario indicate that the Ontario government's financial support for universities has decreased dramatically over the past decade. Ontario ranked at the bottom for interprovincial comparisons. In determining university system requirements for 1983-84, increasing costs of goods and services purchased were identified as the source of the greatest pressure on the financial position of Ontario universities. It is recommended that as a minimum measure full provision for inflation on salaries be included in 1983-84 funding. Attention is also directed to funding requirements for such sectors as library acquisitions, equipment replacement, and building renovation and alteration. It is recommended that an annual provision of 1.5 percent per year of building replacement value be adopted as a minimum measure of the financial requirement for renovation and alteration for the next five years. Provisions are also made for the expected variation in enrollment, and an increase in university operating revenue of 16.8 percent for 1982-84 is recommended. The fiscal policies of the Ontario government, including the province's ability to generate revenue is assessed. A nonsalary price index and enrollment data and projections are appended. (SW)