FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2001

Higher education funding hike "insufficient and disappointing": Casselman

TORONTO -- The Ontario government's decision to increase funding to colleges and universities by $293 million is "insufficient and disappointing," says the union representing workers at Ontario colleges and many universities.

"In today's budget, the government made a lot of noise about increasing the operating budget for colleges and universities by $293 million," said Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "However, this is $293 million more by the year 2003-04. Staff and students are suffering now from years of underfunding. This is not enough, and it's not fast enough."

The Tories have cut $255 million, in real dollars from colleges and universities since 1995-96, Casselman noted.

"What they are saying is that funding for colleges and universities will return to its 1995-96 level three years from now!" she said. "I'm not impressed. This is actually a significant and continuing cut given the elimination of Grade 13 and growing enrollment."

Ontario has lagged far behind neighbouring states in funding higher education in recent years. Between 1995-96 and 1999-2000, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio all increased funding for higher education by more than 20 per cent -- at a time when Ontario was reducing its funding by 8 per cent.

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For more information: Randy Robinson (416) 315-2982