Manitoba reverses planned post-secondary funding cut, but says institutions must meet workforce needs - CBC.ca

The Manitoba government is changing course and giving post-secondary institutions some of the money it was planning to cut from their budgets in the next school year.  .

He said Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler would have more to say later, after further discussions with officials at Manitoba's universities and colleges. .

"He has shared a decision that we've made to revert away from the planned budgetary one per cent reduction to ensure that, at the very least, stable funding based on the previous year's allocation is going to be there for post-secondary in … this fiscal year," Pallister said at a morning media briefing.

"It is essential that Manitoba has a strong and responsive post-secondary system so institutions are positioned to respond effectively to the new economic and social realities," Eichler said Wednesday in a prepared statement. .

"I'm pleasantly surprised that they have belatedly recognized that universities require stable funding, perhaps now more than ever," said Peter Miller, a University of Winnipeg classics professor and vice-president with the university's faculty association.

However, he remains concerned by the government position that curriculum must align with economic needs.

Post-secondary institutions must remain autonomous, Miller said.

Some Manitoba schools, though, said Wednesday they welcome the province's announcement.

"The province is demonstrating their commitment to the future of Manitoba by making these funds available," University of Winnipeg spokesperson Kevin Rosen said in an email. .

The University of Manitoba said it was studying the province's decision and wasn't prepared to comment on the announcement.