Three out of five federal party leaders respond to questions on higher education and research priorities
October 3, 2008
AUCC calls on all party leaders to make higher education and research a priority in this election campaign
The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada has released the responses of three federal party leaders to a questionnaire on their commitment to higher education and university research.
Three of the five federal party leaders responded to the AUCC questionnaire by the requested date of September 29 — all affirming the value of higher education and research and recognizing the strategic importance of investments in universities. The leaders of the Bloc Québécois and the Conservative party have not yet responded.
“We have called on all parties to address the crucial role higher education and research play in our economy,” says AUCC president and CEO Claire Morris. “Higher education and research should be one of the most important issues in this campaign.”
“Investments in postsecondary education and research are widely recognized as critical to Canada maintaining an innovative and productive economy. Increasingly, the critical role of a university in local economic development is also being highlighted as communities look to weather uncertain economic times,” Mrs. Morris added.
AUCC sent an open letter and a 12-question survey to the five main federal party leaders on September 10 on behalf of its members. The questionnaire asked all leaders to outline their plans in three critical areas: university research and graduate education; access to quality postsecondary education; and international experience for university students and faculty.
The Liberal, New Democratic and Green parties all expressed their commitment to the importance of investing in university research across a broad range of disciplines, improving funding for students pursuing postsecondary education and dedicating federal transfers to the provinces for postsecondary education. These three parties also supported significant investments in improving the educational attainment of Aboriginal peoples.
The questionnaire and other responses from the Liberal, New Democratic and Green Parties, as well as relevant statements from all parties on these issues, are posted on the AUCC election website www.universitiesmatter.ca.
AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities here and abroad. It represents 92 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.
For more information contact:
Gary Evans, Director of Government Relations and Public Affairs, AUCC
613 563 3961 x 312
Please click on a party logo below to see the responses from that party:
