The federal government’s 2019 budget, unveiled Tuesday, includes key investments for higher education and work-integrated learning. University of Guelph president Franco Vaccarino has released the following statement:

The University of Guelph applauds the federal government for recognizing the value of higher education and research and innovation.

A key theme in the 2019 budget was positioning people for success, and we are pleased to see the role of post-secondary education, lifelong learning and internationalism acknowledged.

Specifically, the federal government is expanding the student workplace program, with 84,000 new work placements and significant financial investments.

Federal funding will support 500 new master’s scholarships and 167 doctoral level scholarships, and paid parental leave has been increased for student researchers.

The budget also includes support for international mobility and diversification, and Indigenous education.

Changes to the student loan program and a new federal training benefit will boost accessibility and affordability.

The importance of science, research and innovation was also a prominent theme, with money for Genome Canada, the TRIUMF laboratory and Let’s Talk Science programs.

The 2019 budget also reiterates the importance of agri-food and aquaculture in growing Canada’s economy.

At the University of Guelph, we look forward to working with government to help strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader through these investments in hands-on learning and in the skills and talents of the next generation.

Universities Canada also released a statement about the 2019 budget.