Photo: Joe Thomson/Acadia Broadcasting
Nova Scotia’s educational landscape is set to undergo significant changes as the provincial government announces new one-year funding agreements with the province’s 10 universities. These agreements, slated for 2024-25, aim to regulate tuition increases, enhance accountability measures, and address pressing issues such as student housing and healthcare training.
Under the leadership of Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education, the agreements mark a departure from the current memorandum of understanding (MoU) and emphasize a student-centric approach tailored to the unique needs of each institution. Wong expressed optimism about positioning the university sector for a promising future while maintaining Nova Scotia’s reputation as a top education destination.
Key highlights of the 2024-25 agreements include a cap on tuition increases, with undergraduate students in Nova Scotia seeing a maximum two per cent rise, compared to the previous three per cent cap. Additionally, universities are mandated to ensure health program seats are filled to at least 97 per cent capacity and develop sustainable plans for recruiting, housing, and integrating international students into the labor market.
Recognizing the acute student housing needs in Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality, universities in these areas are tasked with ramping up efforts to expand student accommodation. Moreover, institutions are required to collaborate on an inter-university plan aimed at reducing administrative expenses by a minimum of five per cent.
While most universities will receive a two per cent increase in annual operating grants—a boost from the previous one per cent increase—some funding will be contingent upon meeting specific performance targets outlined in the agreements. Each university is also expected to present proposals outlining their contributions to provincial priorities such as healthcare, housing, and workforce support for the years 2025 to 2028.
Reaction from the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents has been critical, with concerns raised over the financial strain imposed by the new funding model. David Dingwall, Chair of the Council, and President of Cape Breton University, lamented the lack of partnership and clarity in the government’s approach, describing the announcement as a setback for the province’s higher education sector.
The disparity between funding levels and last year’s inflation rate of four per cent has sparked further discontent, particularly among smaller to medium-sized universities. Dalhousie University, in particular, will see its grant frozen until it outlines its contributions to provincial priorities.
