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Montreal, November 14, 2012 – The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) is hoping to see the following in the Quebec budget being tabled on November 20: a follow-through on the commitment to university funding made by the governing party during the election campaign; compensation to cover the financial impact on universities of the events that took place in the spring of 2012; an extension of the strategy for research and innovation (SQRI) until a policy on research and innovation is in place; and a guarantee of funding to cover the costs of ensuring pay equity in our universities.

University funding

“As we witness the economic crisis in so many countries around the world, it becomes apparent that a university education and academic research will play an increasingly critical role in Quebec’s social, cultural and economic development. We must see that universities have the support they need to completely fulfil their mission to ensure high-level education and research. That means the government must respect the campaign promise made by the Parti Québécois when it released its financial plan, under which a Parti Québécois government would pay the money funds budgeted in the University Funding Plan, including funds that were to come from the initially planned tuition hike,” said Luce Samoisette, Chair of the CREPUQ Board of Directors and Rector of Université de Sherbrooke.

To make good on this promise, the coming budget must contain sufficient funds to cover the following: the maintenance of basic funding for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014; the additional resources provided for under the grant matching program, i.e. $10 million for 2012-2013 and $20 million pour 2013-2014; and recurring compensation further to the cancellation of the tuition hike for the years 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 ($42 million and $84 million, respectively).

Compensation

The events of spring 2012 caused a significant disturbance on university campuses. This had a negative financial impact, due to additional disbursements related mainly to wages for teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as security costs for people and premises, legal expenses and lost revenue resulting primarily from the cancellation of classes for the 2012 summer semester.

Extension of SQRI funding

The Quebec strategy for research and innovation (SQRI) expires in 2013. Last summer, key players in Quebec’s innovation system were invited to participate in a consultation process to elicit opinions on how research and innovation might best contribute to Quebec’s economic and social development. In October, Pierre Duchesne, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, announced that the consultation process and the work that has been undertaken as a result of it will lead to the development and implementation of a Quebec policy on research and innovation (PNRI).

“This is very positive news. It supports what the Premier said in her speech at the swearing-in of her new cabinet ministers, when she mandated Mr. Duchesne to ‘propose measures that will put Quebec back among the world leaders in terms of private and public investment in research and development.’ A new policy on research and development must be one of the government’s top priorities, and it should be accompanied by significant reinvestment in public research over the medium term,” added Daniel Zizian, Director General of CREPUQ.

Pay equity

Thanks to the efforts of recent years, pay equity is now guaranteed in all Quebec universities. Similar work has been done in the public and parapublic sector as a whole. And yet, only the universities remain uncompensated for their activities in this regard, even though they have fully acquitted themselves of their obligations.

The Pay Equity Act became law 15 years ago. It is high time to finally settle these financing issues.

CREPUQ includes all 19 Quebec universities. The organization acts as their voice in relations with government and milieus concerned with university education and research. It also fosters coordination and collaboration between universities, is a research centre for university administrations, acts as a centre for coordination and joint service delivery, and is a resource centre and think tank for its members.

Source :
Chantal Pouliot, Director of Communications
Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
514 288-8524, ext. 244
chantal.pouliot@crepuq.qc.ca