The University of Western Ontario is grateful post-secondary education remains a high priority for the McGuinty government, even in these times of severe economic uncertainty. The 2009 provincial budget was released earlier today by Finance Minister Dwight Duncan.
“We believe that the Premier and his government have got it right in terms of post-secondary education being the key to the future health of Ontario’s economy, and more importantly, the economy here in London,” says Western President Paul Davenport. “Even though we do understand that the rate of investment in our sector has had to slow in the current economic environment, we believe the government is committed to our sector long-term for when economic circumstances improve.”
Ontario’s commitment of approximately $780 million in capital funding to the infrastructure program for universities and colleges is very good news. “This will enable Western to provide a highly enhanced environment for research and teaching, and will permit the rapid modernization of aging facilities on campus,” says Davenport.
Western also welcomes the government’s province-wide $300 million investment in capital funds over six years for research infrastructure, which is designed to leverage recent federal investments in the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the additional $100 million in funds over four years for research performed in the biomedical field.
“The provincial government’s continued commitment to support research and to provide advanced infrastructure and equipment is not only welcome, it is critical to keeping top minds and jobs in Ontario,” says Ted Hewitt, Western’s Vice-President (Research & International Relations). “By matching federal funds from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the province provides Ontario institutions with a competitive advantage and allows for greater investments that will better the health, welfare and economy here.”
Budget highlights also included an announcement of $35 million in capital investment to support the creation of an additional 100 medical school spaces in Ontario. This is important both in London at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and at Schulich’s satellite campus at the University of Windsor.
“We are very pleased to be able to expand the number of physicians graduating from Schulich who will help meet health human resource needs for southwestern Ontario. We are especially excited to increase the cadre of students in our new Windsor Program,” says Carol Herbert, Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
President Davenport concluded his reaction to the budget on a cautionary note.
“The government, due to current economic circumstances, has been unable to make base budget investment into Ontario’s universities’ operating costs, unlike the period from 2004 to 2008. This means that universities will experience operating budget difficulties for the foreseeable future.”