This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
"Similar to what’s done in health care, we need a dedicated transfer to the provinces to move us towards a public post-secondary education system that is accessible to all, high quality, and provides decent work in the sector. A strong public education system is key to a thriving society, especially as we face labour shortages in critical sectors and the need for transition to a green economy.” — Larry Brown, NUPGE President
Ottawa (24 March 2022) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), together with its partners in Education for All, is welcoming the tabling of a new bill that outlines a federal funding transfer to the provinces for post-secondary education.
Legislation similar to Canada Health Act
The proposed legislation, tabled by NDP MP Heather McPherson, outlines how the federal government would provide funding to the provinces for post-secondary education (PSE), similar to the Canada Health Act. The funding transfers would come with conditions related to public administration, academic independence, quality, and accessibility.
Provinces and institutions that receive funding would be accountable to those principles.
This includes requirements that PSE institutions be operated on a non-profit basis and that they limit the use of short-term contracts, casual labour, and contracting out. It also requires institutions to ensure reasonable access to students regardless of ability to pay.
National strategy needed
This legislation would help meet the calls from students and workers for a national strategy for publicly funded PSE. NUPGE has long supported this type of “strings-attached” funding to ensure goals of universality, accessibility, and quality are met across the country.
NUPGE represents faculty, support staff, and other workers in colleges and some universities across the country.
Research shows why public funding is needed
Public funding for colleges and universities has been declining, which has contributed to rising tuition, more precarious work, corporatization, and loss of jobs and programs.
New research from Education for All shows how, since the 1990s, tuition has been increasing faster than the cost of other goods. Households are spending a much higher proportion of their income on post-secondary education, with lower-income households bearing these increases to a greater extent.
NUPGE supports dedicated PSE transfer with strings attached
“The federal government needs to step up and assume a larger role as funder of post-secondary education across the country,” said Larry Brown, President of NUPGE.
“Similar to what’s done in health care, we need a dedicated transfer to the provinces to move us towards a public post-secondary education system that is accessible to all, high quality, and provides decent work in the sector. A strong public education system is key to a thriving society, especially as we face labour shortages in critical sectors and the need for transition to a green economy.”
This bill will need government support in order to be debated in the House of Commons this parliamentary session. NUPGE urges all Members to allow for debate on this bill and for bi-partisan support for this legislation.
Education for All coalition welcomes the bill, debate
NUPGE joins its partners in the Education for All campaign coalition in supporting this bill and calling for parliamentary debate. Read the joint response from Education for All here.
Individuals who wish to voice their support for the bill can use the letter-writing tool on the Education for All website.
The Education for All campaign is a joint initiative of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and the National Union of Public and General Employees. Together, we represent more than 1 million students and workers.