Canada’s universities call for investments in people and ideas for the benefit of all Canadians
OTTAWA – In their efforts to help Canada meet today and tomorrow’s acute challenges, Canadian universities submitted their brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) on Friday, as part of Parliament’s pre-budget consultation process.
Titled, “Investing in People and Ideas Today for a Better Tomorrow,” Universities Canada’s recommendations fall under three themes: securing Canada’s place as a global talent leader by attracting, developing and retaining the best people and ideas; ensuring prosperity through research and innovation; and empowering Canadian institutions to meet local and global challenges.
Today’s world is more interconnected, more competitive and more fragile than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, disruptions to global supply chains, climate change and a historic labour market shortage have all highlighted this in stark terms.
Canada’s universities’ submission to Parliament underscores that the solution to these challenges is to invest in people and ideas. Canada can succeed if our workforce is diverse and full of adaptable people working to discover, innovate and commercialize new ideas.
Canada cannot be complacent, and the upcoming federal budget represents an important crossroads in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world.
Universities can contribute to Canada’s future in that competitive world by attracting and retaining learners throughout their lives, by conducting the research that enables discovery and downstream innovation, and by maintaining and building on a well-deserved global reputation for inclusive excellence.
“The world remains an unpredictable and volatile place,” says Paul Davidson, President of Universities Canada. “And as critical links in the people and ideas supply chain, universities are not ivory towers – they are lighthouses – helping Canada navigate the unpredictable. With the right investments in talent and research – in people and ideas – universities can continue to work in the interest of all Canadians and ensure prosperity through higher education, research and innovation.”
