We took part in the federal government’s annual pre-budget consultation process, issuing eight recommendations focused on six priority areas: partnered innovation for social and economic growth, Indigenous education, essential skills, work integrated learning, international mobility and labour market information.
Our submission outlined how supporting colleges and institutes could help the government achieve its objectives, especially in innovation and inclusive economic growth. Our President and CEO, Denise Amyot, was also invited to present these recommendations before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday October 27.
CICan’s recommendations were well received and contributed to a very college and institute-friendly 2017 federal budget, which focused largely on skills and innovation. Among many positive measures, the government invested in making post-secondary education more accessible, especially for under-represented populations, renewed the Community and College Social Innovation Fund, and allocated funding for the creation of a new national structure focused on supporting skills development. The budget also announced the creation of Innovation Canada and identified priority areas for future investments: advanced manufacturing, agri-food, clean technology, digital technology, health/bio-sciences and clean resources, as well as infrastructure and transportation.