Canadian Association of University Teachers

 
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Federal budget must invest more in post-secondary education and research

The upcoming federal budget must increase public investment in post-secondary education and research in order to build sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for Canadians, says CAUT.

The association has outlined its priorities in a letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty in anticipation of next month’s federal budget.

“The Harper government needs to do more to expand access to quality post-secondary education and to support scientific research,” said executive director James Turk.

For a start, he says, that means increasing federal cash transfers for post-secondary education by $400 million just to restore funding, in real terms, to 1992-93 levels.

The budget also needs to make up for cuts to the granting agencies that fund peer-reviewed university research.

“Those cuts, and the uncertainty about continued federal support for a number of other research foundations and bodies have cast a cloud over the future of university-based science,” said Turk.

CAUT is also troubled by the government’s direct steering of research funding. Last year’s budget provided $87.5 million for Canada Graduate Scholarships but stipulated that they be focused on “business-related degrees.”

That budget also specified that the bulk of infrastructure money given to the Canada Foundation for Innovation would be used for future priority projects identified by the Minister of Industry.

Turk warns of dire consequences if this trend continues.

“History has shown us that decisions about the merits of scientific research are best left to scientists, not governments or politicians,” he said.

In its letter to Minister Flaherty, CAUT also highlighted the need to reconsider some of the tax cuts enacted in recent years.  The 2009 federal budget acknowledged that the cumulative effect of these cuts 2008 will result in a loss in federal revenues of $220 billion by 2014.

The consequence is that federal revenues will be insufficient to maintain the public services and programs, like post-secondary education and research, that Canadians need and that are necessary for the country’s long-term development and growth.

“The government needs to recognize that raising taxes in a fair and equitable manner is an essential part of any realistic budget deficit plan,” said Turk.