2012 Alberta Budget

From the Back of the Pack to the Top of the Class

Alberta is a province with tremendous opportunity: our provincial government is debt free; we have unparalleled natural resources and beauty; and we have an economy that has weathered the economic downturn, ready to lead Canada in growth. Our post-secondary system is an important part of that opportunity and is well-placed to help overcome the challenges that we face.

Investment in our universities, colleges and technical institutes – and in their students through the 2012 provincial budget would ensure the province avoids a skilled labour shortage that could limit innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

An inability to attend post-secondary education denies far too many Albertans an opportunity to reach their potential. With only seven out of every ten high school students finishing their diploma before they turn 19, and even fewer making the transition to post-secondary education, we are unnecessarily limiting the potential of many people and of our province as a whole.

Today, Alberta has the lowest post-secondary participation rate in Canada; fewer Albertans go on to formal education than in any other province. This budget is the right moment to work on a goal we have been talking about for the past year: to improve our post-secondary participation rate.

We are projecting a shortage of 77,000 new workers in our province by 2019. With up to 80% of those positions requiring post-secondary education, we need more university graduates.

We can track and report on data better by extending the concepts of transparency and open data to our post-secondary system. We can also do more to lower the costs of education and make sure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of someone pursuing their dream. Non-repayable grants and debt relief will help inspire Albertans to enroll and encourage them to successfully finish their program. Finally, we must provide the funding institutions need to meet increased demand, and to ensure the quality our graduates and the economy need.

• Set more ambitious targets and develop additional measures in the business plan.
• Establish an arms-length agency to develop research on our post-secondary system.
• Increase non-repayable student financial aid through upfront grants.
• Reduce the debt of successful graduates by 50% of the provincial portion of their loan.
• Increase operating funds to institutions over three years.

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