BCFS says post secondary system in crisis, calls on province to change funding formula

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The British Columbia Federation of Students says the province’s post secondary system is in crisis. The organization says that there have been almost 1000 layoffs in the sector since 2023, with 80 programs suspended, paused or cut. They’re calling on the B.C. government to increase the amount of funding headed to post secondary schools in the province and spent last week lobbying MLAs on the issue in Victoria. Following an interview with Cole Reinbold Secretary-Treasurer for the BCFS, Midcoast Morning also spoke with Annabree Fairweather Executive Director of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC.

Midcoast Morning reached out to the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills, following the initial broadcast of the program, the ministry provided a statement below:

“The Ministry recognizes the challenges currently facing B.C. post-secondary institutions. The sector has shifted significantly due to a range of factors, many of which fall outside the Province’s control. Recent unilateral changes by the federal government to international student work permit policies have led to reduced revenues at public post-secondary institutions, requiring them to make difficult financial adjustments. Broader economic pressures, including global inflation and declining domestic enrolment, continue to affect the sector’s financial stability.
“Since 2016, the Province has increased funding to public post-secondary institutions by more than $1 billion. In addition, we continue to invest in targeted programs that address labour market gaps and expand access to education and training in priority sectors such as health, trades, and technology.
“Key investments include:
• A $131 million increase in funding for health training programs since 2019.
• A $480 million investment through Budget 2023 in the Future Ready Action Plan, which includes increased tech program spaces, doubled veterinary medicine seats, and new initiatives such as the future skills grant and TradeUp BC.
• Building the first new medical school in Western Canada in almost 60 years at SFU Surrey.
• An ongoing $42 million investment to support 2,900 new tech spaces since 2022.
“We remain committed to working in partnership with public post-secondary institutions during these financially challenging times, ensuring they stay focused on their core priorities and continue to deliver high-quality education and support for students across the province.”

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Guests:

Cole Reinbold — Secretary-Treasurer, British Columbia Federation of Students (BCFS)
Annabree Fairweather — Executive Director, Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC (CUFA BC).

Program Team: