Investing in Educational and Research Infrastructure
for Economic Recovery and Growth

A Submission to the
Pre-Budget Consultations of the
Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
by the
Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia
October 23, 2009

The global recession triggered in the fall of 2008 has been a tremendous burden on all British Columbians-businesses have slowed down or closed, people have lost jobs, government revenues have taken a significant hit. Thankfully, the impact of the recession on Canada has been significantly less than elsewhere in the world.

Governments in Canada and around the world have recognized that it is necessary for government to provide stimulus in times of such deep economic downturn. This has largely meant investment in physical infrastructure to keep people employed and businesses operating.

In some jurisdictions, notably the United States, legislators have recognized that the short term stimulus from investments in physical infrastructure must be balanced with the long term stimulus that comes from investments in education and research. They argue, rightly, that it's not enough to sustain the old economy; we must also increase our preparations for the new economy. To this end, the US Federal Government invested $90.9 billion in education and $8.9 billion in research as part of the economic stimulus package approved in February.

Although the BC government has not cut nominal core funding for post-secondary education, funding for ancillary programs, student financial assistance and research has been cut. Looking at the next two fiscal years, rather than making new investments, the BC government plans to reduce real spending on higher education and research in many ways. This is not a productive or wise course of action.

We recognize the challenges the current global recession creates for the BC government in implementing the recommendations contained in this document. Now is not the time for government to pull back from its commitment to higher education. Without the necessary investments in education and research, we risk stalling the economy further, thereby multiplying the effects of the crisis and ultimately undermining necessary economic transformation.

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