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THE ADVOCACY AGENDA AN UPDATE FROM AUCC GRO Conference, Vancouver, June 2009

THE ADVOCACY AGENDA AN UPDATE FROM AUCC GRO Conference, Vancouver, June 2009. Gary Evans Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Overview. Pre-budget advocacy 2008-09 Results in Budget 2009 Implementation

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THE ADVOCACY AGENDA AN UPDATE FROM AUCC GRO Conference, Vancouver, June 2009

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  1. THE ADVOCACY AGENDAAN UPDATE FROM AUCCGRO Conference, Vancouver, June 2009 Gary Evans Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

  2. Overview • Pre-budget advocacy 2008-09 • Results in Budget 2009 • Implementation • Ongoing cycle of advocacy Page 1

  3. Pre-budget advocacy - Summer 2008 • Initial priorities set at June Board meeting • Fully fund the institutional costs of supporting research • Invest in international research collaboration • Create more opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians to benefit from postsecondary education • Three priorities used in August pre-budget submission to House of Commons Finance Committee Page 1

  4. September: Election call • Need to communicate more broadly • AUCC advocated a broad range of issues during the election run-up • University research and graduate education • Access to quality postsecondary education (including accumulated deferred maintenance) • Universities connections to the world Page 1

  5. October : New Government • Economic downturn hit • AUCC responded to the times • Open letter to Canadians • Letter to the Prime Minister • Government said no deficit budget • AUCC budget requests scaled down • Institutional costs only Page 1

  6. November: Economic Update • G-20 meeting in Washington • Global calls for stimulus packages • Economic update poorly received • Opposition Coalition brings instability • Government acknowledges budget will have stimulus measures • Special AUCC Board meeting agrees to revive and revamp infrastructure package Page 1

  7. December/January : Peak advocacy period • Parliament prorogued on December 4 • Budget announced for January 27 • AUCC released new brief to Minister Flaherty and opposition parties calling for: • Infrastructure ($2.4 billion in immediate ADM) • Institutional research costs (maintain reimbursement rate) • Met with both political staff and public service Page 1

  8. Results in Budget 2009 Positive initiatives for universities • $2 billion in knowledge infrastructure for PSE • 70 percent for universities • Focus on university R&D (federal responsibility) • Matching ($2.8 billion total value for universities) • $750 million for CFI (future oriented) • $150 million to enhance current round • $600 million for a new round • $87.5 million over three years to temporarily expand Canada Graduate Scholarships Page 1

  9. Results in Budget 2009 • Strategic review of research granting councils • 4.8 percent cuts by 2011-12 • $17.7 million for 2009-10 • $43 million for 2010-11 • $87.2 million for 2011-12 • Includes proportional reduction in total funding to Indirect Costs Program • Additional targeting • SSHRC’s CGS to be focused on business students Page 1

  10. Implementation of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program • Advice to Industry Canada • Various allocation formula proposals • Right balance between ADM and R&D is a major challenge • Welcomed investments publically in presentations to the House of Commons Finance Committee and the Senate National Finance Committee • Website with projects http://www.aucc.ca/smartmove/ Page 1

  11. 2009-10: Ongoing cycle of advocacy • Liberal amendment • Permanent review of Budget – quarterly progress reports • Resulting in an ongoing cycle of advocacy – “Rolling” budget • AUCC very supportive of infrastructure • Media Furor – large portion of researchers vocal over granting council budget cuts • April AUCC Board meeting • Focused on direct and institutional costs of R&D Page 1

  12. 2009-10: Ongoing cycle of advocacy • Deteriorating federal financial situation and continuing unstable Parliament • Predictions of $50 B deficit for 2009-10 and $170 B in new debt over next 5 years • Federal election looming • Federal government moving from a defensive strategy in response to criticism to engage the university community • Possible economic stimulus package II • AUCC June Board developing advocacy agenda for 2010 pre-budget period Page 1

  13. Next Steps • Development of pre-budget submission in July/August, House of Commons Finance Committee • Work with partners on building support for direct and institutional costs • Prepare Brief to Minister of Finance • Be ready for an intervention on any economic stimulus measures prior to Budget 2010 • Hone broader messaging on “the university of the 21st century” Page 1

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