Sask. post-secondaries pleased with $12-million top-up to funding

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Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions say they are happy to see a $12-million top-up of operational funding announced in the 2024-25 provincial budget.

“This year’s provincial budget delivers financial stability, propels growth, and responds to the challenges of escalating costs with a one-time 2.2 (per cent) funding increase,” said Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia in a recent statement, adding that they “appreciate the government’s clear commitment to post-secondary education.”

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The top-up brings total funding to $793 million in the 2024-25 advanced education budget. It will help institutions remain responsive to the needs of students, communities and the labour market, the province said in a news release.

“Post-secondary education supports all sectors of the provincial economy and is key to helping meet our Growth Plan and Health Human Resources Action Plan goals,” said Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant in the release.

“This one-time increase serves to assist institutions (as they) manage cost pressures, better enabling them to maintain services for students, expand seats and introduce new quality programs, and ensure they remain responsive to labour market needs.”

On top of $724 million in operating and capital grants, the province is providing $58.9 million for capital projects, including $8.7 million for an electrical infrastructure upgrade at the University of Saskatchewan, $6 million for planning work on Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new Saskatoon campus, $6.3 million for a cooling tower replacement and $610,000 to expand the student health-care centre at the University of Regina.

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Expanded training programs and capital projects will also be supported by operating and capital grants, which aligns with meeting critical labour market needs in the health-care sector. This includes $7.9 million to support licensed practical nursing, medical laboratory assistant, continuing care assistant, primary care paramedic, pharmacy technician, clinical psychologist, physical therapist, and mental health and addictions counselling programs provincewide.

“We are pleased the province is providing a one-time increase to the University of Regina’s annual operating grant,” said U of R president and vice-chancellor Jeff Keshen in a statement Tuesday. “Our costs have continued to rise, so we very much appreciate that the additional $2.4 million in this year’s budget will help offset the inflationary pressures we are facing and allow us to reinvest in areas that will support students.”

The University of Saskatchewan and U of R as well as federated and affiliated colleges will receive $492.7 million, while technical schools and regional colleges will receive $193.8 million and $37.1 million, respectively.

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This year’s funding marks the final year of a four-year, multi-year funding agreement, which the province says is the first of its kind in the advanced education sector. A new multi-year funding agreement is expected to be submitted through the 2025-2026 budget process.

AnAmato@Postmedia.com

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