Montréal, July 10, 2013 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has presented its brief on university funding. This document follows the Board of Trade’s participation in the Government of Québec’s consultations on the future of higher education.
“Our city’s economic and social success is closely tied to the performance of our universities,” says Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “They need to receive fair and adequate funding, and, as such, the next funding policy should:
- take into account the competitive environment and mission of each institution: funding must vary according to the university and its strategic objectives;
- offer universities the flexibility to adjust tuition according to the field of study and discipline to reflect the cost of training and the variable return on investment of a university education;
- recognize the chronic maintenance deficits of each university and compensate them adequately so that they can rectify the situation;
- let universities establish compensation policies based on their business strategy and situation;
- make funding more stable and predictable;
- institute fair, rigorous reporting.
Without these conditions, the future of our knowledge society is compromised.”
“Our recommendations are fully in line with the values of our university system, namely, accessibility, equity, efficiency and excellence,” says Michel Leblanc. “Québec’s universities must be allowed to play their crucial role in society while increasing their international competitiveness.”
“We support the recommendations of the Corbo report on the creation of a national university council, the Conseil national des universities,” Michel Leblanc says. “It is a balanced report that recognizes the importance of developing new mechanisms for evaluation, monitoring and strategic advice. The Conseil, as proposed by Mr. Corbo, would help us evaluate our competitive position and take the appropriate action to adjust, as needed, the path we’re on. The Board of Trade particularly appreciates that the essential autonomy of universities be protected, that the organization’s roles and responsibilities be clearly defined and that the presence of the business community on the Conseil be recommended. Our voice has been heard.”
The Board of Trade’s brief on the policy on funding universities can be consulted here. Past briefs on the development of a framework law on universities can be consulted here and on the possible Conseil national des universités, here.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Québec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source :
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
spaquette@ccmm.qc.ca
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