REGINA — The province's post-secondary institutions have signed a new multi-year funding agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.
According to the province's announcement Monday, post-secondary institutions including universities, colleges and polytechnic institutions are to receive approximately $250 million in additional operating funding over the next four years under the agreement. The institutions will see annual operating grants increased by three per cent each year, on top of a one per cent increase in 2025-26 which the government says will be made permanent. This approach supports more effective planning and resource allocation, helping institutions strengthen long-term financial sustainability, foster growth and ensure students are well supported.
The agreement also limits tuition increases to zero to three per cent annually, down from the current four per cent limit. The province also says all institutions are to submit accountability reports, demonstrating progress in key areas.
The new agreement was announced at the Legislature by Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff Monday, alongside leaders of Saskatchewan's post-secondary institutions.
Meanwhile, in a news release this morning the opposition New Democrats are again demanding emergency funding to save the 128 jobs lost this year at Sask Polytechnic campuses across the province. The government has pointed to federal cuts to permits for international students as the reason, but the NDP has blamed government underfunding.
“This agreement comes too late — especially with our future at stake,” said Tajinder Grewal, Saskatchewan NDP Advanced Education critic, in a statement. “The minister failed to do his job for a year and people lost their jobs. The people working in these schools are educating and supporting our future leaders. It’s been 18 years of this Sask. Party government failing to support them.”
More to come.
