Budget 2011 recognizes vital role of universities in productivity, innovation

Ottawa, March 22, 2011 – The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada strongly welcomes the Government of Canada’s continued support for university research and international engagement as announced in Budget 2011.

“We’re pleased with the strengthened investment in university research and innovation in this budget,” says Michel Belley, chair of the AUCC Board of Directors and rector of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. “This support will increase Canada’s capacity for discovery and innovation, and enhance the university learning experience for all students.”

Adds AUCC president Paul Davidson: “This budget represents tremendous progress for the university sector: more funding for the research councils, promotion of international educational marketing, additional support for students, and a range of measures to foster innovation and research.”

The $37 million increase in the annual investment in the three major granting councils (plus $10 million more for the indirect costs of research) will help universities pursue the research that drives innovation and produce the highly educated employees needed in all sectors of the economy.

“Canadians know that we have to increase productivity in order to prosper in the new global economy,” says Mr. Davidson. “These investments are leveraging university research, innovation and knowledge to make this happen.”

The university community is pleased with the establishment of 10 new Canada Excellence Research Chairs in the budget. The federal government has also announced a total of close to $250 million over six years for strategic research initiatives led by or involving Canada’s universities, including an additional $65 million for Genome Canada to continue its ground-breaking work, $100 million for neuroscience research, and $50 million over five years to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics to support its research, education and public outreach activities.

Budget 2011 provides $10 million over two years to develop and implement an international education strategy that will reinforce Canada as a country of choice to study and conduct world-class research. It also includes measures to build on recent AUCC efforts to strengthen connections between Canadian universities and India, including a $12 million investment in the establishment of a new Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence.

“Canadian families know that university education leads to rewarding careers and helps strengthen communities,” says Mr. Davidson. “Three out of four new jobs created by 2017 will require university education. Furthermore, seven out of 10 jobs vacated by retiring baby boomers will require postsecondary education. This budget signals that understanding.”

AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities. It represents 95 Canadian public and private, not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

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For interviews and information, contact:

Greg Fergus
Director, Public Affairs
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel.: 613.563.3961 ext. 229
Mobile: 613.884.6416

Mélanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel: 613.563.3961, ext. 306
Mobile: 613.884.8401
mbechard@aucc.ca