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For The Record

POST-SECONDARY FUNDING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Nov. 6, 2009
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
 

Post Secondary Operating Budgets

  • Operating funding to post-secondary institutions has increased by 53 per cent since 2001 to $1.9 billion in 2009/10. As a result, every single college and university in British Columbia has seen their provincial funding increasing.

Funding adjustments in 2009/10

  • Provincial funding has significantly increased access to post-secondary institutions throughout the province, increasing enrolment opportunities so that students with a B average in high school now have ready access to B.C. universities.
  • Budget 2009 takes a renewed focus on available resources inside the post-secondary system and redirects funds previously approved for general seat growth to areas of high labour market demand – areas like health programs, skilled trades, and graduate student spaces.
  • Funding for general seat growth continues under budget 2009/10.
  • In addition, there is funding for:
    • college pension plan increases.
    • negotiating framework increases.
  • Since 2001, this government has created 35,500 new student spaces across the province so students receive the best possible education – more choices, more access, closer to home.

Additional Provincial contributions to post-secondary institutions

In addition to base funding, our government has undertaken the largest expansion of the post-secondary system in B.C. history – investing $1.8 billion in over 840 capital projects since 2001. Projects include new medical schools, new libraries, new laboratories and new classrooms. Public post secondary institutions are receiving added funds for research, special projects and capital projects.

Recent provincial investments include:

  • $49.5 million in special project funding for Simon Fraser University, including $46 million for the School of Contemporary Arts.
  • More than $15.9 million for a new film centre at Capilano University.
  • $86.4 million in a new state-of-the-art building at the University of British Columbia that will house the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science.
  • $10 million for a new Technical Education Centre at the College of New Caledonia’s Prince George campus, plus $5 million for a trades training building at the Quesnel campus.
  • $8.5 million for the upgrade and expansion of Northwest Community College’s Smithers campus to accommodate additional mining and mineral exploration programs.
  • $23 million for the Centre for Learning at Okanagan College in Kelowna.