April 21, 2021 - The Government of Saskatchewan in partnership with post-secondary institutions have
developed a multi-year funding investment that will provide funding certainty to the
sector over the next four years.
The Ministry of Advanced Education has committed to stable base funding at 2020-21
levels for the duration of the agreement, along with an additional $60 million increase
beyond annual operating funding over the next two years. This approach provides institutions
with the ability to respond to challenges created by the pandemic, and to help grow
financial sustainability over the long-term.
"For the first time ever, we're pleased to provide a multi-year funding commitment
to the sector, which was developed collaboratively and is focused on shared priorities,"
Advanced Education Minister Gene Makowsky said. "The pandemic has disrupted the operations
of post-secondary education. This investment will help ensure programming and research
remain aligned with the needs of students and Saskatchewan communities and will give
institutions the ability to assist the province in achieving the goals set out in
the Growth Plan.”
As part of the commitment, every publicly funded post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan
signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines the shared priority areas where
the additional $60 million will be targeted including: COVID-19 recovery, revenue
generation, sector collaboration and achieving the strategic initiatives set out in
the Growth Plan.
The sector is excited to continue working together to support the needs of post-secondary
education in the province.
"The four-year plan is unprecedented and provides Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions
stable funding in an uncertain social and economic environment," Association of Saskatchewan
Regional Colleges Co-Chairs Jay Notay and Barb Derbawka-Stevenson said. "Through
collaborative and cooperative relationships with our post-secondary partners, industry
and other relevant stakeholders, the Association of Saskatchewan Regional Colleges
looks forward to continuing playing a key contributing role in helping Saskatchewan
achieve its economic recovery goals and objectives."
"The multi-year funding agreement is a progressive and welcomed step in these challenging
times toward establishing our financial predictability in the coming years," USask
President Peter Stoicheff said. "It will help ensure our success in supporting the
aspirations of our students, our researchers, Saskatchewan and its citizens, and in
our commitment to being the university the world needs."
"With the Ministry of Advanced Education's commitment to multi-year funding, Saskatchewan
Indian Institute of Technologies has the tools to realize ambitious and innovative
initiatives to support the economic development of Saskatchewan Indigenous peoples,"
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Vice-President, Academics Tavia Laliberte
said. "Stable core funding is essential to building the internal capacity to challenge
and innovate. Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies appreciates the support
of the ministry to empower Indigenous peoples to meet our shared goal of building
strong communities within this province."
"Saskatchewan Polytechnic appreciates the Government of Saskatchewan's efforts to
ensure financial sustainability of the post-secondary sector through the multi-year
funding," Sask Polytech President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said. "In addition to ensuring
that the institution has the resources to plan for the fall, this approach also gives
the institution stability and predictability over the next few years to meet the needs
of our learners and business and industry partners."
"Gabriel Dumont Institute is extremely pleased to see a multi-year funding commitment
for post-secondary institutions in this year's budget," Gabriel Dumont Institute Executive
Director Geordy McCaffrey said. "The cost certainty will help us plan and deliver
programs in the best way to the Métis community."
"The University of Regina welcomes the longer-term funding model the Government of Saskatchewan has introduced for the province's post-secondary sector," University of Regina Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Thomas Chase said. "Stable funding over the next four years will provide greater certainty as we move out of the pandemic, and will help us chart a course toward a more sustainable future."
This media release is also available on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
