Seven new universities have been created in B.C. since 2001, and nearly 36,700 new seats have been funded at post-secondary institutions across the province. Operating funding to post-secondary institutions has increased 53 per cent since 2001, and B.C. has seen the largest expansion of college and university campuses in history. B.C.’s tuition is the fifth-lowest in Canada, and tuition increases have been capped to the rate of inflation. Taxpayers fund 70 percent of tuition costs for today’s students.
Challenges and Opportunities:
The demand for skilled, educated workers continues to grow in B.C. A strong post-secondary system is critical, particularly during an economic downturn when more people are looking to build their skill set. Government needs to be able to balance the need to increase access to post-secondary education and build new facilities, with the need to keep tuition affordable and provide support for students.
Discussion:
Where should future investments or expansions of B.C.’s post-secondary system be focused? How can B.C. guide the post-secondary system to help meet the increasing demand for skilled workers? What is the fair balance between what taxpayers should fund and individuals should fund when it comes to their schooling? And how can government ensure students in every region have access to a wide range of programs and subject areas?
B.C.'s small business growth leads Canada
B.C. government eliminated 164,000 pieces of red tape
B.C. Liberals lowered small business taxes
Province cut corporate taxes by one-third
Record funding for K-12 education
Class size limits enshrined in law
B.C. parents' right to volunteer guaranteed in law
Province adds more front-line staff for children at risk
B.C. Liberal government provided more funding for community infrastructure
B.C. government grants $285 M for regional economic trusts
All traffic fine revenue returned to cities annually
Provincial income tax eliminated for a quarter million low-income people
Number of child care spaces receiving operating funding almost double
B.C. Liberal government cut income taxes to lowest in Canada
Agreements providing social and economic opportunities for First Nations
B.C. Liberal Government signed modern treaties with six First Nations
Aboriginal unemployment a third lower than in 2001
B.C. Liberal government increased funding for health care by 60 per cent
B.C.'s first new regional hospital in 30 years built in Abbotsford
New hospitals under construction in five communities
Twice as many doctors being trained in B.C. than in 1990s
North America's most progressive climate action plan, praised by climatologists and economists
Carbon tax funds tax cuts and impact equal to removing 800,000 vehicles
Over 12,000 new and replacement seniors' care beds and units
Wait time for residential care down to 90 days from one year
B.C. government providing more home support care hours than ever before
B.C. Liberal government created seven new universities
