image from government budget documentsUniversities Canada praised the 2019 federal budget for building on previous investment in research and support for postsecondary infrastructure.

Universities praise federal budget’s investments in skills

Universities Canada praised the federal government’s support for lifelong and work-integrated learning, skills development, international study, and ensuring more people benefit from a university education, saying in a statement that the budget unveiled Tuesday will help Canadians thrive in the labour markets of today and tomorrow.

The organization highlighted:

  • a commitment to help students enter the workforce through 40,000 proposed new work placements per year by 2023-24;
  • an investment of $147.9 million over five years for an international education strategy to promote Canada as a leading study destination;
  • $114 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, and $26.5 million per year ongoing in the federal granting councils’ Canada Graduate Scholarship program;
  • expanded paid parental leave for students and postdoctoral fellows, which will further improve equity and inclusion in university research; and
  • modernization of the Canada Student Loan program to better respond to the needs of vulnerable students.

“The government is taking the right steps to help Canadians build the skills and capacity they need to reach their potential in our shifting global economy,” said Universities Canada chair Mike Mahon, president of the University of Lethbridge. “Connecting more students with employers in the private sector and civil society during their studies will pay dividends for all for years to come.”

The 2019 federal budget is available on the Government of Canada website.

See the Universities Canada media release on its website.