Greens Decry Bias in Federal Funding for Graduate Students

OTTAWA--The Harper Conservative government's 2009 federal budget included only $87 million for student research; however, it has now come to light that the allocation of this money shows strong bias toward students in business programs and analysis shows that almost half of all Canadian graduate students will not see any benefit from this budget.

The budget temporarily increases federal monies to the Canada Graduate Scholarships program over the next three years.  According to the Canadian Federation of Students, 40% of the funds will go to students studying natural sciences and engineering, 40% to medical science, and only 20% to social sciences and humanities.  The new funding for social sciences and humanities is allocated only to students "focused on business-related degrees."

“About half of all graduate students in Canada are enrolled in social sciences and humanities and only about 10% of those are in business programs.  Why is the Harper government funneling money to that small group of students?” asked Katie Gibbs, the Green Party of Canada’s Youth Critic.

“Investment in education is a key part of economic stimulus, but it is not right that certain ideologies come into play when deciding who gets the funding.  All of our students in Canada are struggling with huge debt loads and they all need support.  This money should have been given to the granting bodies to deliver as needed, not earmarked by government to satisfy a certain interest,” said Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May.  “It is not the government’s role to dictate priorities to our research councils.”

Meanwhile, the Obama administration plans to bring in $6 billion in new funding for the two American granting research councils.  The result may be that many of Canada’s brightest academics will move south where they will be properly supported.

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Contact:
Michael Bernard
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
Office: 613 562 4916 ext. 244
Cell: 613 614 4916
Fax: 613 482 4632