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Montréal, March 23, 2006 - University heads have found the budget just introduced by the Québec Minister of Finance disappointing and disturbing as the budget does not provide for any reinvestment in universities.

According to Roch Denis, CREPUQ President and Rector of UQAM, “the disappointment is all the greater because expectations were high, known, well-documented and widely shared. The budget is disturbing because the lack of reinvestment signals the onset of spiralling deficits that will be disastrous for the health of our university system and the quality of education. At the same time, our neighbours and competitors will continue to invest in their universities. It appears that the system costs would be covered, which would keep the base budget at its current level. Although we acknowledge this effort, we must await publication of the MELS budget rules before it can be confirmed.

The budget also provides unspecified amounts for the commercialization of university research. However, we note that the budget of Québec’s research funding agencies is stagnating at a time when the need is growing and their mission is more important than ever.

The focus on the ongoing negotiations between the two levels of government concerning transfers for postsecondary education must continue. CREPUQ reiterates its support for the government’s action in this regard, but it remains clear that reinvestment in universities is essential. This is the only hope for seeing the situation rectified in the near future. Time is short and the issue must be resolved and concrete results produced in 2006-2007.

“We have to look beyond the numbers: the real bottom line is the quality of university education and research, the ability of our universities to compete with those of neighbouring societies and ultimately to give Québec the means it urgently requires to make its place in the knowledge economy. There must be a change of course soon, or the future of new generations will be sacrificed”, concluded Mr. Denis.

For information:

Jacques Bordeleau

Executive Director

514 288-8524, ext. 201