Ontario universities heartily applaud the 2009 Ontario Budget with its significant investments in postsecondary operating, infrastructure and research funding.
“Today’s investments demonstrate the Premier’s continued leadership on higher education and recognition of its importance in driving innovation, economic growth and social well-being,” said Dr. Peter George, Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and President of McMaster University. “We appreciate the government’s recognition of our severe operating pressures as well as the major investments in infrastructure and research.”
The government announced a commitment of $150 million in “immediate, one-time support” for colleges and universities in recognition of the substantial enrolment and operating pressures that they face. This is on top of the scheduled increase of $199 million for 2009-2010 for postsecondary education in the Reaching Higher plan. Details on the precise distribution of this one-time funding will be made clear in the coming days.
“These investments will help our institutions to address some of the significant financial pressures they are facing and help them to protect knowledge sector jobs,” said Dr. Paul C. Genest, President of COU. “Sustaining the teaching and research environment at our universities is vital to Ontario’s economic future. We recognize these are difficult times for everyone and appreciate how far the government was able to go, though we acknowledge that fiscal restraint is still required at our institutions.”
The government also committed $780 million in support of campus renewal and new buildings to match Ontario’s share of the federal government’s funding for postsecondary infrastructure.
“These investments in new construction and campus renewal will provide our students and faculty with many of the modern facilities needed for a high-quality learning experience and cutting-edge research,” said Genest. “They will also create jobs in the 27 communities across the province, where universities operate – thus providing badly needed stimulus during these difficult economic times.”
The commitment to campus renewal will help to address a large inventory of deferred maintenance projects at our universities including new roofs, boilers, plumbing and electrical systems – projects which may not be glamorous but which are essential to providing safe, healthy and high-quality environments for students, staff and faculty. Energy retrofits of our buildings will also reduce energy use, promote sustainability and contribute to the development of a greener Ontario economy.
The 2009 Ontario Budget made a number of significant research investments including $300 million over six years for research infrastructure that will leverage Ontario’s portion of the new federal funds from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. There is an additional $100 million provided for biomedical research focused on genomics, to be delivered through the Ontario Research Fund.
“These investments will enable Ontario researchers to develop cutting-edge research projects that will advance the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to the development of innovative ideas to enhance Ontario’s economy and competitiveness,” said Genest. “They are a tremendous complement to the other infrastructure investments announced today in support of campus renewal and quick-start projects on our campuses.”
Genest also indicated that COU is appreciative of the announcement that rebates will ensure that the harmonization of sales taxes will be revenue neutral for universities.
Other welcome initiatives for universities are:
- $35 million for medical infrastructure to support the creation of 100 medical spaces with associated operating funding
- $10 million to expand graduate fellowships
- $50 million for proposed enhancements to the Cooperative Educational Tax Credits
“We look forward to working with the government in the coming period to develop a long-term plan to succeed the historic Reaching Higher plan of 2005,” said Genest. “Such a plan is vital to ensuring that our university system is financially sound over the long term and able to handle expected growth in the system as well as provide an environment for cutting-edge research.”
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For further information, please contact:
Paul Genest
President and CEO
416.616.7231
pgenest@cou.on.ca
Jennifer Grass
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
416.707.6787
jgrass@cou.on.ca
