(Ottawa – May 7, 2020) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) welcomes the Ontario government’s decision to suspend plans to introduce performance-based funding (PBF) for post-secondary institutions, but says the decision should be made permanent.

“It is the right decision and the Ford government should not only postpone the implementation, it should abandon the idea completely. Performance-based funding has a long history of failing in wherever it is tried,” says CAUT Executive Director David Robinson.

The Ontario government announced its decision in light of the financial uncertainty facing universities and colleges because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the Alberta government is still pressing ahead with performance-base funding measures, and Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are also considering PBF.

”More than ever, colleges and universities need to focus on building and advancing knowledge. They don’t need another layer of unnecessary bureaucracy. All provincial governments should realize that and act accordingly,” adds Robinson.