Concern over bill restricting federal funding
Minister, universities say Alberta could be putting research contributions at risk
The federal government highlighted a swath of research funding from its 2024 budget for Canada's post-secondary institutions on Friday in Calgary, as concerns grow that newly proposed Alberta legislation could put such contributions at risk in the province.
Last week, Premier Danielle Smith introduced Bill 18 — the Provincial Priorities Act — as a bid to prevent Ottawa from overstepping into provincial jurisdiction. The premier said the proposed legislation would require the provincial government to approve any federal funding deal for municipalities, universities, school boards and other organizations to ensure the agreement doesn't contradict provincial priorities and investments.
On Friday, federal Justice Minister Arif Virani touted the government's 2024 budget commitment to spend $3.5 billion on research and infrastructure at Canadian universities — with $2.4 billion going directly to “core research that fosters homegrown, top-tier research talent.”
The minister said the province's new legislation is “concerning” with respect to the future of that type of funding.
“There's no daylight between our government and the government of Premier Smith in terms of our desire to assist Albertans, and particularly Alberta taxpayers,” he said. “I think what Alberta taxpayers ... deserve from their taxpayer funds that go to the federal government is to see a return on those investments. And that, I think, comes in the form of supporting post-secondary education.
“I'm not here to pick a fight with any provincial government, I'm here to deliver on the needs of Canadians right around the country,” he added.
Alberta's Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney said last week that the legislation wouldn't shortchange post-secondary institutions, but rather provide the province information on how those funds are being spent. She said the province currently has “no idea” how $500 million in federal grant funding is being spent.
“I don't believe the intent of this bill is to stop funding. It's to have an understanding and knowledge and information about what is being funded. We want to make sure that this funding does align with provincial priorities,” she said.
“There is no intention to stop their federal funding or to prevent (post-secondary institutions') investment attraction, capabilities and abilities.”
In a statement released Wednesday, University of Alberta president Bill Flanagan said Bill 18 has caused “uncertainty and concern across the post-secondary sector in Alberta.” He said the change could affect the more than $223 million in research funding the school receives — one-third of its total research revenue.
Kristin Baetz, dean of the U of C's faculty of science, said numbers are similar at her institution, with $190 million in federal research funding representing 35 per cent of its total. She and Virani noted that federal granting councils — which dole out earmarked funding on the government's behalf — work separately from the government and are “completely impartial.”
“There has never been, as far as I know, any political influence in the decision-making because these are peer-reviewed,” she said. “Scientists are making decisions about the best science that we can fund in Canada.”
If the provincial legislation passes, Flanagan said U of A and other members of the Alberta Post-secondary Network will propose exemptions for universities “that will ensure that our sector has fair and ready access to federal research funding with a minimum of red tape.”
“In consultations with the Government of Alberta, I will continue to do all I can to advocate for a regulatory framework that does not impede our ability to secure federal funding and operates in a manner consistent with the university's core commitment to academic freedom,” said Flanagan.
There will be consultation on the bill ahead of the UCP government's plan to bring it into force in early 2025.