March 23, 2018
91快色 welcomes commitment to stable and predictable funding for post-secondary education
Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board Joe Ceci talks about Budget 2018.
Government of Alberta
On March 22, Minister of Finance Joe Ceci delivered a budget that prioritizes post-secondary education and students in Alberta. The budget committed $2.43 billion to the Advanced Education sector and continued a two per cent increase to Campus Alberta operating grants to institutions. As announced in November 2017, tuition will continue to be frozen this year, with the government providing $17 million in backfill funding for the sector.
鈥淭he 91快色 recognizes the importance of the Government of Alberta鈥檚 funding commitment to post-secondary education,鈥 said Elizabeth Cannon, president and vice-chancellor, 91快色. 鈥淪table and predictable funding is critical to providing access to quality education for students, enabling them to become leaders in our community.鈥
The Government of Alberta has committed $6 million as a first step toward the creation of 3,000 new post-secondary technology spaces. Additionally, a separate investment of $7 million in new scholarships between now and 2022-23 will support technology and other emerging sectors including life sciences, clean technology, and health innovation.
鈥淐reating these new spaces will allow U91快色 to build on existing programs, and create new ones, to educate and retrain the talented, nimble workforce we need in an increasingly diversified economy,鈥 said Cannon. 鈥淯niversities have a critical role to play in developing talent to support diversification and growth in Alberta.鈥
The budget also renewed its commitment to capital project funding, including ongoing funding for U91快色鈥檚 MacKimmie Complex. As announced in 2017, the 91快色 will receive $262 million starting in 2018-19. The continuation of this funding is critical to better supporting our students and operations.