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For The Record

POST-SECONDARY FUNDING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

May 29, 2009
Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
 

Letters to the Editor

Post Secondary Operating Budgets

  • Funding to support post-secondary institutions has been 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.
  • B.C.’s eleven universities will receive almost $1.3 billion in base operating grants this year.

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, graduate student spaces and Aboriginal access.
  • Funding for general seat growth continues under budget 2009/10.
  • In addition, there is:
    • Funding for  college pension plan increases.
    • Funding for  negotiating framework increases.
  • Since 2001, this government has created 36,700 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 facility maintenance, research, special projects and capital projects.
For example, in 2008/09:

  • The University of British Columbia received an additional $64.6 million in special project and capital funding, including funds for expansion and Aboriginal programs and medical training.
  • Simon Fraser University received $49.5 million in special project funding and capital funding commitments, including $46 million for the School of Contemporary Arts.
  • Capilano University received more than $1.4 million in special project funding.
  • The College of New Caledonia received $1.7 million in capital projects approved
  • Royal Roads University received a commitment of $15 million towards a new academic building.
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Letters to the Editor

Nov. 3, 2009
Letter to the Editor
MINISTER DEFENDS B.C.'S POST-SECONDARY RECORD
By Moira Stilwell
Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Submitted: Nelson Daily News
Status: Published, Nov. 5, 2009
I'd like to set the record straight on post-secondary education in British Columbia. B.C. continues to have one of the most affordable and accessible systems in the country, and we're committed to giving B.C. students the best possible education with more choices and more access closer to home. [Read More]

July 27, 2009
Letter to the Editor
INCREASED FUNDING TO VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY
By Moira Stilwell
Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun, Victoria Times-Colonist
Status: Not published
B.C. continues to have one of the most generous financial aid programs in Canada and is committed to making public post-secondary education accessible, affordable and closer to home for B.C. students. [Read More]

February 11, 2009
Letter to the Editor
FUNDING INCREASES TO POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS
By Murray Coell
Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Submitted: Surrey North Delta Leader
Status: Published February 24, 2009
There are some who would like you to believe that the government has been cutting funding to public post-secondary institutions.
Here's what the people of British Columbia need to know.
Since 2001, our government increased the operating budgets 40 per cent to $1.8 billion – more than $68 million in 2008/09 alone. [Read More]

January 15, 2009
Letter to the Editor
VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY FUNDING INCREASE
By Murray Coell
Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Not published
I find it baffling the Daily News claims (Jan 14) VIU received a "funding cut" this year, when the university actually received an increase of $753,000. So let's set the record straight once and for all. We have increased VIU’s operating grant 30 per cent since 2001 for a total of $329 million. [Read More]

August 26, 2008
Letter to the Editor
WE SHOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT UNIVERSITY FUNDING
By Murray Coell
Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development
Submitted: The Vancouver Sun
Status: Published August 26, 2008
It never fails to amaze me how some people can take perfectly good news and turn it around, play fast and loose with facts and make it sound somehow negative. [Read More]