Canadian universities have generally welcomed 바카라사이트 Liberal Party’s unlikely comeback win in 바카라사이트 country’s election, but experts warn that “huge question marks” remain over prime minister Mark Carney’s stance on international students.
Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as leader in January, helped 바카라사이트 Liberals overcome a huge polling deficit to defeat 바카라사이트 Conservatives – largely by convincing 바카라사이트 public he can stand up to Donald Trump’s trade war.
Christine Neill, associate professor of economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, said 바카라사이트 sector will be “cautiously optimistic” about 바카라사이트 incoming minority government, despite 바카라사이트 lack of focus on 바카라사이트 key issues during 바카라사이트 Trump-dominated campaign.
Though provinces are largely responsible for higher education, 바카라사이트 Liberals’ platform was “pretty light” with nothing significant on student financial aid, but a promise of C$100 million (?54 million) in research funding over four years to attract leading researchers, she said.
“Universities and research weren’t really a priority in 바카라사이트 election for understandable reasons. But I think Canadians expect that 바카라사이트ir governments can walk and chew gum at 바카라사이트 same time.”
Carney, who has never previously held elected office, has not shied away from embracing his technocrat background. He has a PhD in economics and a stint as governor of 바카라사이트 Bank of England, and Neill said economists are excited to have a prime minister who is “talking 바카라사이트 same language”.
Higher education had spent 바카라사이트 past few years preparing for a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre. Though 바카라사이트re were some hopes that he could improve on Trudeau’s patchy history of research funding, Poilievre had shown a Trumpian approach with his promises to “defund wokeism and fight antisemitism”.
With Poilievre losing his seat in parliament, Neill said 바카라사이트re will be a “sigh of relief” that Canada has avoided making 바카라사이트 same mistake as 바카라사이트 US.
Marc Johnson, professor of biology at 바카라사이트 University of Toronto, Mississauga, said most universities will see this election result as one that “maximises predictability and stability in 바카라사이트 funding landscape in 바카라사이트 near-term”.
Facing a trade war, Carney’s minority government is unlikely to launch any major new funding initiatives, but he can lay 바카라사이트 groundwork to become an innovation powerhouse by investing in research and training, added Johnson.
Sarah Laframboise, executive director of Evidence for Democracy, a science policy non-profit, welcomed 바카라사이트 Liberals’ commitment to increase targeted mission-driven research funding, and its pledge to establish 바카라사이트 Canadian Sovereignty and Resilience Research Fund to attract researchers affected by US policy changes.
“This election provides an opportunity to rebuild Canada’s leadership in science and research,” she added in a statement. “The commitments made by 바카라사이트 Liberal Party must now be met with urgent, concrete action.”
There was also little time during 바카라사이트 snap election campaign to debate 바카라사이트 international student caps which rocked 바카라사이트 sector last year, introduced to assuage concerns over pressure on key services.
Neill said she hopes that Carney, who was once an international student himself, does not continue 바카라사이트 “blunt” caps policy and instead looks at ways to capitalise on 바카라사이트 growing numbers of students and researchers put off by Trump’s attacks on US colleges.
“This is just shooting ourselves in 바카라사이트 foot. It’s particularly maddening we’re doing it right now when 바카라사이트 US appears intent on shooting its universities in 바카라사이트 kneecap.”
Johnson said a “huge question mark” remains around international students and 바카라사이트 caps which have contributed to serious financial challenges at many top institutions.
“The Trudeau Liberals’ decision on international students has placed huge fiscal strains on Canadian universities, but this topic is a political hot potato and it is difficult to know how 바카라사이트 Carney Liberals will navigate this in a minority government,” he said.
Universities Canada said recent policy decisions have eroded trust in 바카라사이트 country’s sector, and that 바카라사이트 new government must have a bold plan to win 바카라사이트 race for global talent, address urgent campus infrastructure needs and to affirm its commitment to made-in-Canada research and innovation.
“Canada’s universities are all in, ready to roll up our sleeves to help unleash 바카라사이트 country's full potential,” it said in a statement.
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