Federal budget reflects strong commitment to universities – AUCC
Ottawa, June 6, 2011 – The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) applauds the Government of Canada’s continued support for university research and international engagement as announced in Budget 2011.
“We’re very pleased to see this government honouring its commitment to Canada’s universities as initially presented in the spring budget,” says AUCC President Paul Davidson. “With a four-year mandate, the federal government has a meaningful opportunity to position Canada as a leader in research, discovery and innovation through investment in our university sector.”Highlights of support for Canada’s universities include:
- a $37 million increase in the annual investment in the three major granting councils
- the establishment of 10 new Canada Excellence Research Chairs
- a total of close to $250 million over six years to strategic research initiatives led by or involving Canada’s universities, including an additional $65 million for Genome Canada to continue its ground-breaking work
- $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
- measures to build on recent 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 a university education is the surest path to prosperity and economic security,” says Mr. Davidson. “These investments will help our universities strengthen communities and address Canada’s challenges and priorities in crucial areas such as health care, energy and climate change.
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:
Helen Murphy
Manager, Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
613.563.1236, ext. 238
Mobile: 613.608.8749
Mélanie Béchard
Communications Officer
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Tel: 613.563.3961, ext. 306
Mobile: 613.884.8401
mbechard@aucc.ca