Environmental Change Impacting Higher Education
In the past several years, the environment within which post-secondary educational institutions have functioned has experienced acute and material change, resulting in significant sector-wide financial stress. This is the case for institutions across the province, as well as for many around the globe.
In 2017, the provincial government introduced a corridor grant model that no longer funded unlimited enrolment growth. Subsequently, tuition rates were cut by 10% and frozen. Through Bill 124, a salary cap on public sector wages was implemented and later repealed with no relief provided by the provincial government. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted enrolments and resulted in significantly increased capital costs for materials. Along the way, we also dealt with international student visa delays and are now facing federally-imposed caps on international student visas at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Together, these external developments have had a destabilizing effect on Carleton’s financial health, as well as that of all Ontario universities.
Post-secondary education institutions around the globe are facing similar pressures: