Today’s budget announces the government will “increase operating grants to colleges and universities by an estimated $293 million by 2003-04, directly proportional to the projected enrolment growth.” This assurance of full funding for increased enrolment provides Ontario universities with the assurance they need to begin hiring the professors to meet the surge in demand for university education that is just around the corner.

“Today’s commitment to full funding for increased enrolment demonstrates that the Government of Ontario recognizes the importance of investing in students. We applaud the Premier, Finance Minister and the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities for this commitment,” said Paul Davenport, Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and President of the University of Western Ontario.

The SuperBuild Program, launched in February 2000, represented the largest capital investment in Ontario’s college and universities in more than 30 years. Over $890 million was allocated to begin increasing their capacity to provide spaces for growing numbers of students. The significant new funds announced in today’s budget will meet a substantial portion of the costs of the increased enrolment, which could reach 90,000 additional students over this decade.

Today’s multi-year commitment to full funding for increased enrolment will enable universities to plan for the longer term, hire faculty, and develop strategic plans that would otherwise be beyond the scope of single-year budget planning. In addition to the operating funds announcement the government provided $100 million to address maintenance costs for physical facilities. “The investment in maintenance will allow us to improve the physical environment for our students and researchers. This is a wise investment of public funds which is greatly appreciated by the universities,” said Dr Davenport.

Ontario universities and Government have been working together for over two years to plan for enrolment increases. “We look forward to a continuation of this productive working relationship as we move forward on our multi-year agenda to ensure that Ontario students at all of our universities have access to excellence,” said Mordechai Rozanski, Vice-Chair of Council and President of The University of Guelph. “We are confident that together we can meet the commitment to provide a university place for every qualified and motivated student.”

President of Council, Ian Clark, said that the announcement demonstrates the priority that the Government places on the education of our students. “In spite of severe budget constraints, the Government has made a very substantial commitment to the future of this Province. This is an investment that will pay dividends for decades to come,” said Dr. Clark.

For further information:

Arnice Cadieux
Executive Director, Public Affairs
(416) 979-2165 ext. 224

Dr. Paul Davenport
University of Western Ontario
(519) 661-3106