News and commentary

This op-ed was published in the Hill Times.

By Stephen J. Toope and David Naylor

The fall of 2008 was not a happy time in Canada. Canada was slipping into a global recession, a just-returned third minority Parliament was cranky and Canadians were increasingly cynical about the capacity of government to respond to real and urgent needs. These were not what would normally be called winning conditions for public policy success.

In the fall of 2011, things are better but sunny days have not returned. The economic future remains cloudy. Perhaps, then, it’s worth taking a time-out from the gloom to celebrate something that governments and the private sector got right. 

The federal government announced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program as part of the 2009 stimulus budget. What began as a direct investment of $1.3 billion from the federal government was leveraged – with funding from the provinces, municipalities and the private sector – into an investment of $3.2 billion to upgrade and renew research and learning facilities on university campuses across the country.  These investments are having an impact today, and will help shape the future of higher education, research and innovation in Canada for years to come.

Equipped with these resources Canadian universities set about upgrading, expanding or building new state-of-the-art labs, libraries and learning spaces. In some cases, the projects addressed the pressing need for increased student capacity. At the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus, the new Instruction Centre includes a full range of technology-enabled classrooms varying in size from 30 seats to a 500-seat auditorium, dedicated study space and a 24/7 computer lab. Others made dramatic contributions to sustainability. At the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, the new GeoExchange system uses groundwater from under the campus to heat and cool buildings, making the campus almost emissions-free.

Several aspects of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program were unusual. The first was its speed. The program went from initial discussions to announcement in just six weeks. And the program moved from announcement to project funding decisions in just six months. A total of 183 projects on 79 campuses were approved. Universities, not always known for rapid decision-making, committed to completing the projects in two years. Some kitchen renovations take longer!

As well, in a country where jurisdictional wrangling often impedes progress, the Knowledge Infrastructure Program stands out as an example of three levels of governments working together for the benefit of all Canadians. The responsibility for delivering the Knowledge Infrastructure Program fell to Industry Canada – not typically a program delivery department.  Yet a team was assembled that reviewed proposals, hammered out a deal with each province and monitored progress.  Virtually all of the projects were completed on time and on budget. Such alignment and speed of action across three levels of government, the private sector, and universities across the entire country is unprecedented. 

Obviously, the private sector players saw in the program relief from what could have been a massive slowdown in the building industry.  Yes, the provinces and federal government were compelled to act to stimulate the economy and to play nicely with each other, and municipalities stepped up to the plate to do their part. Granted, too, that universities had a back-log of capital needs. 

But what strikes us was the spirit of partnership and collaboration shown by all involved in delivering the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. It animated staff at Canada’s universities, hundreds of contractors and thousands of construction workers, individual and corporate donors, and all levels of government.  It also built important facilities that will benefit hundreds of thousands of future students. 

In November 2011, Canadian universities hosted public events to showcase all these new labs, libraries and learning spaces. Roughly 10,000 people attended, and we suspect many were families and friends of our own staff. No surprise there: these facilities aren’t exactly tourist attractions. But as two university presidents from opposite sides of the country, we thought it still might be useful to send out a few public bouquets. Some things do get done surprisingly well in this sometimes frustrating country and these frustrating times. And as two citizens, we are also left wondering how, without a crisis like that of 2008 or the inspiration of an Olympic Games, Canadians might regularly rekindle the social solidarity and collaborative culture that drove forward the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

Stephen J. Toope is President of The University of British Columbia and Chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and David Naylor is President of the University of Toronto

OTTAWA – Canada’s university presidents are encouraged by yesterday’s dialogue between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Canada’s First Nations’ chiefs. The Crown-First Nations Gathering highlighted the shared view that Aboriginal education must be a cornerstone of future initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for Canada’s First Nations people.

“Few things are as transformational for a society as bold and visionary educational reform,” says Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “Canada’s universities are ready to play a meaningful role in improving Aboriginal education at all levels, and thereby enhancing the prospects of Canada’s growing population of young Aboriginal Canadians.

“The education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians is large and growing – a trend that must be reversed,” says Davidson. “There are almost half a million Aboriginal people under the age of 20, yet their university attainment is just one-third the national average.”

Efforts aimed at improving the educational experience of Aboriginal students are already taking place at Canada’s universities. Many universities have robust and successful outreach programs in Aboriginal communities, providing educational support and mentoring opportunities to students starting as early as the elementary level. Universities are also strengthening student supports and developing curricula that are relevant to Aboriginals’ life experiences.

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For more information or interview opportunities:

Helen Murphy
AUCC Communications Manager
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238

Ottawa – Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, issued a statement today following the announcement by the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade on the six Canadian business leaders named to the new Canada-Brazil CEO Forum:

“AUCC is delighted by the announcement and the participation of these business leaders in the Canada-Brazil CEO Forum. The year 2012 represents an unprecedented opportunity to advance Canada’s relations with Brazil. In April, over 30 Canadian university presidents will travel to Brazil to increase ties in education, research and innovation, and we look forward to working with our partners in the private sector to move forward in this important relationship.”

View Minister Fast’s announcement.

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For more information, contact:
Mélanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel: 613-563-3961, ext. 306
Mobile: 613-884-8401
Email: mbechard@aucc.ca

This op-ed was published in the Toronto Star.

by Paul Davidson
President, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

As Canadians come to better understand the depth and complexity of the crisis in many of Canada’s Aboriginal communities, lasting solutions to longstanding problems may seem out of reach. But that doesn’t have to be the case. A big part of those elusive solutions lies in doing a better job of listening to those who, arguably, have the most vested in finding the answers: Aboriginal youth.

On Dec. 12, Aboriginal students from across Canada participated in an online dialogue on postsecondary education. Streamed live from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, they shared their dreams for the future and thoughts on university with educators and leaders from universities and Aboriginal communities across Canada. Hosted by the Assembly of First Nations and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, this open and frank discussion addressed barriers to further education, the desire of Aboriginal educators and students to help build a brighter future for their people, and the urgent need for all partners to work together to make it happen. These students showed themselves to be young people with ambition, vision and a wealth of good ideas. They need and deserve continued engagement in the dialogue about the future of their communities, and a real commitment to change.

Aboriginal youth is the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population. There are almost half a million Aboriginal people under the age of 20, yet their university attainment is just one-third the national average. The education gap in this country is large and growing, a trend that must be reversed.

Contrary to popular belief, Aboriginal students are not guaranteed funding to attend postsecondary institutions. In fact, many do not continue their education after high school because of the lack of financial resources and other supports. And the sad state of K-12 on-reserve education denies many Aboriginal youth the opportunity to even get to that point.

Now, perhaps more than ever, Canadians recognize the imperative of making real change happen. We cannot accept Aboriginal Canadians being denied the high quality of life and abundance of opportunity many of us take for granted.

Few things are as transformational for a society as bold and visionary educational reform. With the federal government’s recent commitment to work together with the Assembly of First Nations on a complete overhaul of on-reserve schools, the potential for a fundamental change in the prospects of Canada’s growing population of young Aboriginal Canadians is at hand.

Canada’s universities are helping improve the educational experience of Aboriginal students at all levels. Many universities have robust and successful outreach programs in Aboriginal communities, providing educational support and mentoring opportunities to students starting as early as the elementary level. We are also strengthening student supports and developing curricula that are relevant to Aboriginals’ life experiences.

In addition to the moral imperative for change, the future prosperity of our country as a whole depends on our ability to help young Aboriginals achieve their potential and aspirations for the future. We need Aboriginal youth to be fully engaged in the Canada of the future.

We are an aging nation. Over the next two decades the number of retirees will double, while the number of working-age Canadians is expected to grow by only eight percent. More than six million baby boomers will retire over the next 15 years, creating greater demands throughout our economy and society including legal, health and social services. We need to make sure that all of Canada’s young people will be fully equipped to play their role in a very new kind of Canada.

There is much at stake. The potential of a generation of young Aboriginal Canadians will be lost if we don’t get this right, and with it, much of the potential of Canada itself.

OTTAWA – Canada’s universities today welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from Indigenous high school students across Canada about their views on university education and their aspirations for the future. “Conversation with Indigenous Youth” was an online dialogue that asked Indigenous high school students to share their thoughts on what university means to them and the steps they will take to achieve their educational goals.

The virtual discussion was hosted from Mount Saint. Vincent University in Halifax, with an audience of Indigenous youth from Nova Scotia in attendance. Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada took part in the discussion, providing insight as students shared their views. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Ramona Lumpkin, President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Saint Vincent University.

“We’re very grateful to these young people for sharing their thoughts and dreams about post-secondary education with us today,” said Mr. Davidson. “Canada’s universities are listening. We understand the urgency of addressing the university achievement gap in this country; that’s why today’s universities are increasingly adding and shaping programs to better meet the needs of Indigenous students.”

Indigenous youth is the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population; there are almost half a million Indigenous people under the age of 20, yet their university attainment is just one-third the national average. The education differential in this country is large and growing – and Canada’s universities are working with the AFN, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and others to help close the gap.

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For more information or interview opportunities:

Helen Murphy
AUCC Communications Manager
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238