Notice Board

Yesterday, the Government of Alberta released its 2016/17 budget. Despite the fact that royalty revenues for the province fell by 90 per cent, the Alberta government maintained its commitment to invest in the post-secondary sector.

Alberta’s publicly funded universities and colleges will receive a two per cent increase in their operating grants. Additionally, it was announced that for the second year, institutions will receive backfill funding due to the tuition freeze.

The Alberta government is also extending the funding for four mental health grants through 2017. One of these grants is to the U of L.

The Alberta government will spend $240 million for the allocation of scholarships and bursaries for students.

Regarding capital, the Government of Alberta announced it has increased its funding commitment towards the construction of the Destination Project science building at the University of Lethbridge, and that $125 million in funding for this project has been moved up to this year. This will allow the U of L to begin construction on this project immediately. The Government of Alberta has committed $248 million over the next four years to the Destination Project, complementing the $12 million in planning funds the U of L has already received for a total provincial contribution of $260 million.

In the days and weeks ahead we will have a better understanding as to how this budget will impact the University of Lethbridge. As we better understand the implications of the 2016/17 budget, we will share this information with our university community.

Andrew Hakin, PhD, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)