Submission to the Department of Finance in advance of Budget 2024

Key recommendations include:

  1. When considering a response to the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System, ensure new measures fully utilize capacity across the entire post-secondary research ecosystem, especially as it relates to mission-driven and industry-led research at polytechnic institutions
  2. As Indigenous businesses and communities seek economic empowerment and solutions to local challenges, ensure there are funding mechanisms that activate existing academic capacity and enable institutions to build effective, long-term relationships with their Indigenous partners
  3. Ensure post-secondary institutions have adequate access to strategic infrastructure funding to support campus renewal, invest in affordable student housing and undertake sustainability projects
  4. Implement a $25 million cost-shared training equipment fund for Canada’s hands-on learning institutions to ensure they can better unlock industry investment and adapt programming to respond to a rapidly evolving labour market
  5. To boost apprenticeship starts, introduce support for high-intervention apprenticeship intermediaries that support the hiring, training and deployment of apprentices and reduce friction to employer participation
  6. Launch a national consultation to inform policies related to Canada’s international student population with a view to developing a long-term strategy to ensure ethical recruitment, efficient visa processing, adequate supports and resources during training and transparent pathways to immigration

Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2024 Federal Budget

Key recommendations include:

  1. Modernize Canada’s academic research and development system with more flexible funding mechanisms that fully utilize capacity across the post-secondary research ecosystem
  2. Create a dedicated Tri-Agency funding allocation for Indigenous-led applied research
  3. Relaunch a $3.5 billion post-secondary infrastructure program that enables institutions to invest in green infrastructure and ensure campuses meet sustainability standards
  4. Establish a $25 million per year training equipment fund for Canada’s hands-on learning institutions to support skills development for a rapidly evolving labour market
  5. Restructure the Canada Training Benefit to increase awareness, navigation and upfront financial supports for workers
  6. Establish permanent baseline funding for the Student Work Placement Program, with additional investments designed to address the lingering impact of the pandemic on Canada’s youth

Polytechnic Alumni Leaders & Problem Solvers

Polytechnic alumni are a powerful and diverse community – now more than 2.4 million strong – of successful innovators, creators and leaders. From improving healthcare to addressing climate change, they are confronting some of the biggest challenges across Canada and around the globe.

What makes polytechnic alumni so great? They have the skills and motivation to drive the future. They’ve received hands-on training on the latest technology in their fields, ensuring they have both the competence and confidence to hit the workforce at full speed. They established employer networks and gained relevant experience during their studies, propelling them to take the labour market by storm.

In this publication, we highlight just a few inspiring examples of polytechnic graduates who are tackling some of the greatest challenges of our time, including how they are:

• Building a healthier Canada
• Contributing to a net-zero future
• Growing the skilled trades workforce
• Showcasing international citizenship
• Strengthening Canada’s healthcare system
• Creating a more inclusive society