COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES CANADA
Why federal elections matter to colleges and institutes

With less than a week left before election day, parties and candidates are ramping up their campaigning and laying out their platform priorities for the next four years. CBC's Canada Votes 2019 platform analysis highlights issues ranging from a federal carbon tax, pipelines, and feasibility of climate change plans, to immigration, reconciliation with Indigenous populations, jobs, small business development and technology.

Not surprisingly, most party platform announcements as they pertain to education are centred around affordability: reducing interest on student loans, increasing RESP contribution limits, and in some cases, establishing free-universal post-secondary tuition. While education remains within provincial and territorial jurisdiction, colleges and institutes are affected by many federal policies and programs, well beyond their students' ability to pay.

Our annual submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance consultations outline the key federal issues of importance for colleges and institutes. For example, this year's submission to prebudget consultations included:

• Supporting innovation through applied research: In addition to project-based research grants allocated through federal funding agencies, colleges and institutes need investment in business innovation engagement services, to provide stable and predictable funding for applied research centres serving the needs of community partners.
• Investing in skills development to support Canadians in a changing economy: Increasing investments that strengthening coordination between the needs of individuals, employers, and training providers, including prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR), will help Canadians update their skills to respond to challenges posed by automation and climate change.
• Improving access to post-secondary education for Indigenous populations: Increasing access to financial assistance, pathways, and wraparound support services will reduce barriers to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners.
• Expanding post-secondary infrastructure: Further support for college and institute infrastructure will allow for the construction of new facilities and necessary energy-efficient upgrades to existing facilities that support learning and innovation.
• Leveraging college and institute expertise in support of international development: Support for international projects to develop responsive and demand-driven programs, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET) will support social and economic initiatives in developing countries, including increasing opportunities for women and girls and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Download the full submission for more information on each recommendation.

This year we also took part in a joint submission organized by the College Applied Research Taskforce, a consortium of post-secondary stakeholders including: Tech-Access Canada, l'Association pour la recherche au collégial, BC Colleges, Atlantic Colleges Atlantique, the Fédération des cégeps, and Synchronex. Download the taskforce's submission pushing for a sustainable solution for engaging SMEs in business innovation.

Engaging with federal politicians in the context of Election 2019 is critical to ensuring that these priorities are well understood. We want candidates to get to know their local college or institute and the impact it has in their community by inviting them to visit your campuses. Send a letter inviting candidates in your riding to see their local colleges or institutes in action!