Ahead of the 2026 federal budget, CAUT is calling for at least $3 billion in emergency bridge funding, negotiated with the provinces, to stabilize the finances of public colleges and universities.
In its submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance’s pre-budget consultations, CAUT urged the federal government to:
- Coordinate with provinces and territories on a pan-Canadian post-secondary education and research strategy
- Increase investment in public post-secondary education
- Create a federal post-secondary education and research secretariat
- Accelerate the implementation of Budget 2024 commitments to the granting councils for investigator-led, open, competitive research programs
- Implement the recommendations of the External Advisory Panel on the Creation and Dissemination of Research in French
- Improve student financial assistance
- Grow capacity at public post-secondary institutions to support recent investments in apprentices and skilled trades training
- Expand supports for Indigenous students
