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Montreal, November 14, 2007 – The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) appeared today before the Public Finance Commission to submit the universities’ reactions and comments regarding Bill 32, An Act to promote rigorous management of public infrastructures and large projects.

This bill is one of several currently being developed that have recently received media attention. These bills are closely related and, if adopted, would have a major impact on Quebec universities’ ability to act.

The universities support the perfectly legitimate objectives, but the government is adding levels of authorization and control. The heads of Quebec’s universities believe that, given the current context of globalization and international competition, these controls will substantially reduce the universitie’s ability to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, but will not improve governance or the management of university infrastructures.

“Quebec’s universities are in favour of sound governance, transparency and accountability. They share the government’s objectives of managing public funds responsibly. However, they oppose the government’s planned means of enforcing these principles”, declared CREPUQ President Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University.

Québec’s universities are already strictly controlled by such laws, regulations, decrees and protocols as the University Investment Act, the Protocole d’entente sur le suivi des projets d’investissements universitaires, the Act respecting the Agence des partenariats public-privé du Québec and the Act respecting contracting by public bodies. All these tools, like the moral authority of the MELS and the government, already ensure adequate supervision of the universities’ administration and protect the government’s interests.

Quebec’s universities are prepared to cooperate fully with the government, especially with the MELS to which they report, to keep the MELS better informed of their management and sound governance plans and practices.

In all, every year, Quebec’s universities responsibly administer funding of nearly five billion dollars. They can therefore state that their performance in managing public goods and services compares favourably with that of other economic sectors, despite the chronic underfunding that they face. “The good reputation of Quebec universities should be upheld and vigorously supported by public authorities”, concluded Ms. Munroe-Blum.

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For information:
Daniel Zizian
Director General
514 288-8524, extension 201