COUNCIL OF ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES
COU Statement: Response to Provincial Budget 2019

"Ontario's universities understand the fiscal challenges of the provincial government as they work towards restoring a balanced and responsible budget by 2023-2024. Our institutions will continue to operate as efficiently as possible, ensuring the tax dollars that are invested in universities bring the best possible return to the people of Ontario.

We support the government's commitment to protecting the services that matter most to Ontarians by cutting unproductive red tape and restoring transparency and accountability to Ontario taxpayers. A healthy, financially sustainable university system is vital to Ontario's economic and social well-being in order to prepare students for life-long careers, supply employers with skilled graduates, help build thriving communities and strengthen public services.

With a shared goal to make Ontario competitive and open for business, Ontario's universities appreciate the government's acknowledgment of the role that talent and innovation can play in driving economic growth. University entrepreneurship and the commercialization of research have led to thousands of start-ups and revenue generating companies that help sustain local economies and generate opportunities for trade. We look forward to working with the Expert Panel tasked with delivering an action plan for a provincial intellectual property framework and commercialization opportunities, while engaging in further discussion on how the spectrum of Ontario's research can support the issues that matter most to Ontarians.

Universities are committed to working with the government to ensure accountability within the public sector on the Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) process to advance transparency, accountability and outcomes-linked funding. Our institutions continue to leverage bold ideas to achieve financial sustainability and to help Ontario remain globally competitive.

As the economy continues to change at a rapid pace, an agile and adaptable workforce of the future will be a key contributor to the province's economic advancement. The collective talents of the students being educated on university campuses and innovating in labs, libraries and offices, can, and will, provide the critical thinking, creativity and problem solving skills Ontario's economy requires.

Ontario's universities will continue to work with government and employers to ensure responsible spending, improved efficiency and modernization. Together we can use new ways of thinking to tackle the priorities that matter most to the people of Ontario, like creating jobs, attracting investment and delivering better health care so we can build a more prosperous future for our communities and the province as we continue to put the needs of students first."

- David Lindsay, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities

COU is the voice of Ontario's universities, promoting the value of education, research and innovation that leads to social, cultural and economic success.