UVic's response to the federal budget

On Thursday, March 21, the federal government introduced the 2013 budget in the House of Commons.

“I am pleased that the Government of Canada continues to invest in research and innovation, a key underpinning of social, cultural and economic prosperity,” says UVic President David Turpin. “ There is further recognition of the vital role universities play in preparing Canadians for the future, with new investments in paid internships for recent graduates, scholarships and bursaries for Aboriginal learners, and international internships. This budget commits to a number of initiatives that we expect to make a difference on our campus and in our community.”

Budget highlights include the following:

• $37 million annually to support research partnerships with industry through the granting councils.
• $10 million over two years for postsecondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students.
• $70 million over three years to support 5,000 more paid internships for recent post-secondary graduates.
• $20 million over three years to help small and medium-sized enterprises access research and business development services at universities, colleges and other non-profit research institutions.
• $13 million over two years to the Mitacs Globalink Program to attract promising students from around the world to Canadian universities and to allow Canadian students to take advantage of training opportunities abroad.

Additional budget responses regarding post-secondary education:

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada