CUFA BC Welcomes Renewed Government Review of Post-Secondary Funding, Urges Completion and Transparency

(For Immediate Release – Port Moody, BC, 25 November 2025) – The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC) welcomes the Province’s announcement that it will conduct a review of funding and sustainability across BC’s public post-secondary institutions. This renewed commitment follows years of CUFA BC advocacy calling for a thorough, transparent examination of how the province funds its universities, particularly as the sector continues to face significant financial pressures.

“After years of urging government to take a serious look at how our post-secondary institutions are funded, we are encouraged to see this review move ahead,” said Acting President Dr. Ken Christie. “We hope this process will be completed with transparency, follow-through, and a genuine commitment to building a fair and sustainable funding model for the future of public post-secondary education in British Columbia.”

CUFA BC remains cautious, however, given the Province’s previous attempt to review the post-secondary funding model in 2022, which ultimately went unfinished. During that earlier process, CUFA BC undertook its own review of public university funding and produced comprehensive recommendations to strengthen the system and prevent further erosion of institutional stability.

We believe the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is taking a prudent step by returning to this important work. A well-designed funding framework should ensure stable and predictable resources for research, academic programming, and institutional operations, while remaining flexible to the needs of local communities.

Sustainable funding must also recognize the full scope of universities’ contributions. “A funding model shouldn’t narrowly reflect industry-driven priorities,” said Dr. Christie. “It must support the broad academic mission of our universities and the diversity of disciplines that equip British Columbians to contribute to their communities, workplaces, and society.”

CUFA BC looks forward to working collaboratively with the Province and the appointed expert consultant, Don Avison KC, in developing a funding approach that reflects the essential role of research universities in supporting British Columbia’s economic, social, and cultural well-being.

For further information or comment please contact CUFA BC Executive Director Annabree Fairweather at 604-367-5856 or [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 Funding Review