Minister and universities concerned about proposed federal funding rules

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The federal government highlighted a portion of research funding in its 2024 budget for Canada’s post-secondary institutions on Friday in Calgary, as concerns grow that proposed new legislation in Alberta could jeopardize such contributions in the province.

Last week, Premier Danielle Smith introduced Bill 18, the Provincial Priorities Act, as an attempt to prevent Ottawa from overstepping its provincial jurisdiction. The premier said the proposed legislation would require the provincial government to approve any federal funding agreement for municipalities, universities, school boards and other organizations to ensure the agreement does not contradict provincial priorities and investments.

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On Friday, federal Justice Minister Arif Virani touted the government’s 2024 budget commitment to spend $3.5 billion on research and infrastructure at Canadian universities, of which $2.4 billion will go directly to “basic research that fosters top-level local research talent.”

The minister said that the province’s new legislation is “concerning” regarding the future of this type of financing.

“There is no agreement between our government and Premier Smith’s government in terms of our desire to help Albertans, and particularly Alberta taxpayers,” he said. “I think what the taxpayers of Alberta. . . What they deserve from their taxpayer funds going to the federal government is to see a return on those investments. And I think that translates into support for post-secondary education.”

“I’m not here to fight with any provincial government, I’m here to meet the needs of Canadians across the country,” he added.

Alberta Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney said last week the legislation would not hurt post-secondary institutions but would instead provide the province with information on how those funds are spent. He said the province currently has “no idea” how $500 million in federal grant funds are being spent.

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“I don’t think the intent of this bill is to stop funding. It is having understanding, knowledge and information about what is being financed. “We want to make sure this funding aligns with provincial priorities,” he said.

“There is no intention to stop their federal funding or impede the attraction of investment, capabilities and capabilities (from post-secondary institutions).”

In a statement issued Wednesday, University of Alberta president Bill Flanagan said Bill 18 has caused “uncertainty and concern across Alberta’s post-secondary sector.” He said the change could affect the more than $223 million in research funding the school receives, a third of its total research revenue.

Dr. Kristin Baetz, dean of the U of C faculty of science, said the numbers are similar at her institution, with $190 million in federal research funding making up 35 percent of its total. She and Virani noted that federal grant boards (which distribute appropriated funds on behalf of the government) work separately from the government and are “completely impartial.”

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“As far as I know, there has never been any political influence in the decision-making because these are peer-reviewed,” he said. “Scientists are making decisions about what is the best science we can fund in Canada.”

If the provincial legislation is passed, Flanagan said the U of A and other members of the Alberta Post-Secondary Network will propose exemptions for universities “that will ensure our sector has fair and easy access to federal funding for research with a minimum of bureaucracy.

“In consultation with the Government of Alberta, I will continue to do everything I can to advocate for a regulatory framework that does not impede our ability to obtain federal funding and that operates in a manner consistent with the university’s core commitment to academic freedom,” Flanagan said. .

Consultations will be held on the bill ahead of the UCP government’s plan to bring it into force in early 2025.

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