2002

Government Relations

Government Relations Federation Meeting with Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2002, Ontario Chairperson Joel Duff and Ontario National Executive Representative Rick Telfer met with officials of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) including: Barbara MacPherson, Senior Policy Adviser (Colleges Branch); Kathryn Wycliffe, Special Project Coordinator (Colleges Branch); Andrew Boggs, Senior Policy Adviser (Universities Branch); and, Karen Wheeler, Senior Policy Adviser (Universities Branch). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss various aspects of the Ontario governments recently passed Bill 65 (Post Secondary Education Student Opportunity Act, 2002), passed as part of the Ontario governments 2002 Budget (Bill 109), and other related issues. What follows is a summary of key issues discussed at the meeting. University of Ontario Institute of Technology Concerning the establishment of Ontarios newest institution, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Federation representatives expressed concern that tuition fees for programs of study at the institution would be deregulated, given the likelihood that such programs will fall under the rubric of professional and post-diploma programs. Ministry officials were unable to confirm whether most programs will be deregulated at UOIT, but suggested that several programs will be typical bachelors degrees in arts, science, and education. According to the officials, the Ministry was already in receipt of the proposed tuition fees for programs at UOIT. As such, Federation representatives requested a copy of the proposed fees. Federation representatives also expressed concern about the Ontario governments explicit intention to link [UOIT] curriculum directly to the needs of the marketplace, given the highly unpredictable fluctuations of the labour market. Ministry officials conceded that the success of such a policy can be measured only in hindsight, and that UOIT will not have a general purpose university academic mission statement. The UOIT will share its campus, administration, and services with Durham College in Oshawa, and is scheduled to open in September, 2003. Negotiations are currently underway to establish UOITs initial operating budget. Ministry officials indicated that, in time, UOIT is envisioned to become a full-fledged university. College Charter

Concerning the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 also known as the college charter legislation Federation representatives expressed concern that repealed sections of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act will: (1) eliminate reference to public funding as the primary source of revenue for colleges; and, (2) eliminate reference to the Ministers authority to regulate tuition fees. Ministry officials suggested that neither provision will be lost, as both are preserved in other, overarching legislation. In follow-up correspondence, one official stated: The cost of establishment and maintenance provisions in the current Act will be replaced by provisions in the Budget Measures Act once the new Act is proclaimed. The official also indicated: As is currently the case, tuition fees policy and admissions policy will set out the requirements for tuition fees and admissions . No major changes from existing policy are anticipated in these areas. In addition, Federation representatives asked whether regulations related to the MTCU Act like those stipulating that governing boards of colleges should reflect the diverse composition of college communities will be lost with the implementation of the new legislation. Ministry officials indicated that the general idea of such regulations will remain intact, though such stipulations will be less specific. The expressed desire on the part of Federation representatives to advise on the development of all new regulations was welcomed by Ministry officials, including regulations pertaining to private institutions and the definition of public institution. Given the Ontario governments adamant commitment to market-driven curricula and institutions, such intervention by the Federation will be of great importance. As part of a more general discussion concerning the governance of colleges and their relationship to universities, Federation representatives advocated for a pan-provincial protocol with respect to such issues as transferability of course credits. Student Representation Federation representatives highlighted an overarching concern with the underrepresentation of students in decision-making at colleges and universities, as exemplified by provisions of the new legislation pertaining to students unions and boards

UPDATE
July 2002
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Ontario Office 720 Spadina Ave., Suite 201 Toronto, ON M5S 2T9 tel. (416) 925-3825 fax (416) 925-6774 www.cfsontario.ca
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REVISED 7-15-2002

1999

Canadian Federation of Students Page 1

1999 2002

Government Relations
While the School has not yet been incorporated, it will be a free-standing legal structure under the authority of both Laurentian and Lakehead. Degree-granting authority for the School will rest with both institutions. International Trade Agreements Federation representatives asked Ministry officials whether the Ontario government was prepared to release the legal opinion it received with respect to international trade agreements (e.g., General Agreement on Trade in Services) and the provision of public services/programs, like postsecondary education. Ministry officials conceded that the jurisprudence in question is murky, and that the Ministry is simply trusting the federal government while keeping abreast of current negotiations. In the opinion of Ministry officials, public education is threatened by international trade agreements only insofar as governments become careless. Apparently, the governments of New Zealand and the United States are among those pushing for the inclusion of education in international trade negotiations. Conclusion Although Ministry officials assuaged some of the Federations primary concerns with respect to Bill 65, it is clear that the Ontario governments vision for the overall direction of postsecondary education points towards increased privatization. First, the UOIT with its limited academic council (i.e., senate) will have its programming tied directly to the needs of the marketplace as determined, for the most part, by private sector interests. Second, the new college charter redefines the mandate of colleges to serve interests far beyond the local communities in which they are situated. At the same time, the charter aims to bind colleges as with UOIT to business and industry. Third, student representation continues to be minimised. Finally, public funding for post-secondary education continues to be severely inadequate, putting upward pressure on tuition fees aided and abetted by the Ontario governments policy of deregulation. Minimal funding from the Ontario government for the sake of public relations to accomplish little more than ensuring space for the looming double cohort fails to address the urgent need for stable core funding. While ongoing consultation with the Ministry will be prudent in the coming months, the Federation must broaden its campaign for accessible, public post-secondary education in anticipation of the coming provincial election. Such mobilisation is the key to increasing support and pressure for real gains including adequate government funding and a tuition fee freeze. Further details, background information, and supporting documentation is available from the Ontario Office of the Canadian Federation of Students, and on the Federations web site (www.cfsontario.ca).

of governors at UOIT, colleges, and the Ontario College of Art and Design. Ministry officials suggested that provisions pertaining to representation could be implemented with institutional-level bylaws. In addition, officials invited the Federation to submit a detailed position on student representation within colleges and universities. Ontario Budget, 2002 When Federation representatives questioned the inadequate funding for colleges recently announced in the provincial budget Ministry officials indicated that the envelope was only for enrolment increases in excess of government projections. Because greater enrolment is expected at universities, the envelope for universities was much larger. In total, the Federation was calling for an immediate $325 million reinvestment in post-secondary education. Instead, the Ontario government allocated $91 million for operating costs, with only $15 million earmarked for colleges. And while the Federation called for an additional $600 million for deferred maintenance, capital investments amounted to approximately $32 million for universities and $34 million for colleges. Furthermore, in the context of SuperBuild and the new college charter legislation, Federation representatives asked whether additional funding was expected from the private sector. Ministry officials conceded that the charter reflects the overall direction with respect to private sector contributions. However, there may be new or different criteria for funding from SuperBuild. In other words, matched funds from the private sector may not be required especially if all future capital funding is to be allocated from SuperBuild. In followup correspondence, one Ministry official stated that [t]he purpose is to increase the number of student spaces in areas where they are needed and that exact criteria for SuperBuild funding will be announced in the coming months. To conclude the discussion of the provincial budget and of post-secondary education funding in general Federation representatives reiterated the call for adequate resources to address unfunded BIUs (basic income units), especially at northern and smaller institutions. Moreover, Federation representatives again expressed opposition to the appropriation of federal Millennium Scholarship funds by the provincial government for any purpose other than providing student financial assistance. Northern Ontario Medical School Ministry officials explained that the recently announced Northern Ontario Medical School is in the process of being established jointly at Laurentian University and Lakehead University. A management committee for the School has been created for planning purposes, and a Dean has already been hired. Moreover, development of the Schools business plan is underway and will be completed shortly, in the coming weeks.

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