Created 4 March 2025 14:03
CUFA BC Calls for Greater Commitment to Universities in Provincial Budget 2025
(For immediate release – Victoria, BC, 4 March 2025) – The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) welcomes investment in BC’s post-secondary education in the Provincial Budget 2025 Standing Strong for BC. However, we raise concerns about the lack of new commitments to ensure the long-term financial stability of BC’s universities, particularly in the face of multiple economic financial pressures that threaten the sustainability of BC’s research universities.
“The budget reflects a cautious approach amid economic uncertainty, but it does not provide the strategic investment needed for the future of post-secondary education,” said CUFA BC President Monica Prendergast. “Beyond re-announcing capital spending projects, there are no new commitments to help institutions manage the financial pressures they face.”
The budget sees the Province contributing $3.156 billion toward post-secondary institutions, though institutions report $9.23 billion in expenses this year. Over the next three years, the Province projects increasing funding by $320 million over the next three years. Most of this spending increase accounts for salaries, benefits, and operating costs. The Province is also investing $4.7 billion in capital projects, including previously announced initiatives such as the five-story West Shore Learning Centre campus with Royal Roads University, the Advanced Therapeutics Manufacturing Facility in Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub at the University of British Columbia, and the medical school at Simon Fraser University. In addition to these projects, there are also ongoing student housing initiatives UBC and SFU.
While these capital investments are welcome, CUFA BC emphasizes that stable, long-term operational funding is essential to ensure the success of BC’s post-secondary institutions. Executive Director Annabree Fairweather highlighted the importance of a broader funding strategy, stating, “This budget continues to shift the focus of post-secondary institutions toward a narrow skills-training agenda, failing to acknowledge the broader purposes of universities and their essential role in fostering research, innovation, and an educated citizenry.
A major financial concern for post-secondary institutions is the federal government’s decision to cap international student enrollments, which has led to budget shortfalls across BC’s universities.
“We were hoping for transition supports to help institutions navigate the financial collapse caused by the federal government’s anti-immigration stance on international students,” said Prendergast. “Instead, institutions are facing budget deficits, program cancelations, hiring freezes, and even faculty and staff layoffs. Our sector is being left to navigate these critical challenges with minimal intervention from government.”
CUFA BC calls on the provincial government to take a more active role in advocating for BC’s post-secondary institutions. We urge Premier Eby to follow Premier Ford’s lead in lobbying the federal government to address the disproportionate impact of these immigration policy changes on BC and Ontario.
As this is the NDP government’s first budget since the fall provincial election, CUFA BC hopes that the new minister will recognize the critical role of post-secondary education in shaping BC’s future. BC universities are key to the province’s future. Faculty members play a crucial role in BC’s economic and social development, and CUFA BC remains committed to working with the Province to ensure universities receive the strategic investment required to navigate the challenges ahead.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
Annabree Fairweather
Executive Director, CUFA BC
Phone: 604-367-5856
Email: [email protected]
CUFA BC represents over 5,500 faculty members, professional librarians, lecturers, instructors, and other academics at the five research-intensive universities in British Columbia, which include University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and University of Northern British Columbia.
CUFA BC celebrates over fifty years of working closely with the member Faculty Associations at each institution. Our purposes are to support high-quality post-secondary education and research in British Columbia and to advocate for the interests of our members.
DOWNLOAD MEDIA RELEASE – CUFA BC Statement on Provincial Budget 2025