• Volume 25 Number 33 81 09 24 Universities are national assets Commons committee says continued federal support vital equalization, with the Ontario universities receiving amounts variously estimated as high as 90 per cent of their operating revenues. The task force rejects the notion of further federal withdrawal from, or diminished interest in, post-secondary education. It could not identify any areas in which reductions in over- all levels of funding could be undertaken with- out a serious risk that important program goals and standards would be jeopardized. "There is no fat in post-secondary education, . ." says the report, and it accepts the representa- tions of those who argued before it that serious cuts in program funding would cut into muscle and sinew — not fat. The task force recognizes that post- secondary educational institutions are national as well as provincial resources, although the provincial level of government has primacy of jurisdiction in education. It would be unacceptable for the federal government to attempt to legislate national standards for post-secondary education, con- tinues the report, but it does call for a greater consultation between the federal government and the provinces towards establishing national education goals. The federal governments apparent un- happiness with the lack of visibility and account- Canadian universities need the resources of The federal-provincial funding agreements ability for the expenditures of its funds and for both the provincial and federal governments on the programs end next March 31 and the the lack of concern for the meeting of national if they are to maintain excellence in post- universities have been concerned about EPF objectives is noted by the task force. The secondary education. transfers ever since last fall when federal federal government wants to identify where This is the essence of a 200-page report, finance minister Allan MacEachen announced its dollars are going and ensure that these are Fiscal Federalism in Canada, prepared by the intentions to cut $1.5 billion from the services being used to resolve problems of national Parliamentary Task Force on Federal-Provincial over a two-year period. significance. Arrangements, which advises the federal govern- The original post-secondary transfer of The report also recommends that federal ment to maintain levels of funding to provinces 1967 was absorbed under the Established Pro- and provincial ministers jointly review and in education, social security and health. grams Financing arrangements introduced in place a priority on action to improve assist- Guelphs administrators and academics 1 977. In these new arrangements the federal ance to needy students. are studying the report, and the big question compensation to provinces in support of post- on their minds is, "Will the federal government secondary education was placed on a per A number of organizations and individuals accept the task forces recommendations?" capita basis and escalated at the rate of growth were witnesses at public hearings or presented The task force spent three months tour- of the economy. The federal contribution is written briefs. President Donald Forster was ing the country and speaking to people and half in cash (called basic cash) and half through one of four representatives of the COU at a groups involved in post-secondary education, a combination of tax room transfer and cash hearing. He is also chairman of the AUCC health and hospital insurance and social transitional payments. committee to monitor developments in this security programs. It was appointed last spring The result is that the federal government area and make representations on behalf of the universities. to advise the federal government on negotia- provides an estimated $18.8 billion to the tions expected to begin soon. provinces for social programs and provincial (See page 2 for recommendations.) Fiscal Federalism in Canada Excerpts from Conclusions and Recommendations The Task Force: power in the 1980s, and the confirmation of • agrees that there should be greater accountability existing commitments to student mobility and • recognizes the need for general base funding for to Parliament and more public information made equality of access to post-secondary education for available on the general (EPF) support provided to the post-secondary sector, to permit adults of all Canadians. Similarly, it is desirable to ensure provinces for post-secondary education by the ages — not just the traditional 18-24 age group — reasonable access to Canadian higher education for federal government. (p. 137) to pursue spiritual and intellectual goals, to polish foreign students. (p. 130) their critical faculties and to expand their general • recommends that the minister designated base of knowledge on which more specific skills • recommends that early consideration be given responsible for consulting with the Council of may be built. (p. 123) to the establishment of a focal point or mechanism to ensure internal co-ordination of federal programs Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) report • appreciates fully that because education is annually to Parliament, beginning in 1982-83 on: related to post-secondary education. (pp. 131-132) under provincial jurisdiction, the responsibility for — transfers to each province for higher education; coping with change and effectively serving broad • recommends that federal general support for Canadian interests must rest with the provinces higher education be continued on the current —to the extent appropriate, other programs of and their institutions. Therefore, the Task Force block-funded basis, at least until the two orders of federal support to, or involvement in, post- believes that there should be an effective consul- government have consulted about the goals and secondary education; tation mechanism to ensure concerted efforts by future needs of the higher education sector, but as —the effectiveness of these federal programs in all concerned to establish and attain the goals that a program separate from future support for health moving toward the countrys economic and other are of mutual interest to both orders of programs. The Task Force believes that this goals; and government. (p. 129) method of providing general support to the prov- —the results of consultations with the CMEC inces best accords with the primary responsibility • recommends that in line with the 1976 First about the definition of national purposes to be of the provinces for education. (pp. 132-134) Ministers commitment, the responsible federal served by higher education, and the means by minister or ministers proceed on an urgent basis to which the CMEC and the provinces will achieve • recommends that the responsible provincial and consult with the Council of Ministers of Education, federal ministers jointly review and take appro- these objectives. (p. 137) Canada, on matters of concern to both orders of priate action on the alternatives for improved government in the field of higher education. assistance to needy students described in the • recommends that the ministers annual report (pp. 129-130) Report of the Task Force on Student Assistance be referred to a parliamentary committee for • suggests that early attention be given to the and that priority attention be given to early review, and that arrangements be negotiated with definition of purposes in post-secondary educa- adjustments in existing programs that will ensure the provinces covering information exchange and tion that are of concern to all governments. In that needy students have realistic levels of assis- such other action as may be required to enable the this connection, priority consideration should be tance in the light of rising costs and reduced responsible minister to discharge his or her given to the need for more highly-qualified man- opportunities for summer earnings. (p. 137) responsibility for reporting to Parliament. (p. 137) World Food Day activities The Universitys preparations for World Food population. That evening the four, in a panel books on the world food situation will be a Day are almost complete. World Food Day, discussion chaired by University President, special feature of the University bookstore from established by the United Nations Food and Donald F. Forster, will provide a synthesis of October 13 to October 16, and there will be at Agriculture Organization (FAO) to draw pub- these topics. Audience participation will be least eight exhibits in the University Centre lic attention to the growing problem of world invited. Three of these speakers will be Dr. courtyard during that period that passersby hunger, will be observed October 16 by 147 Norman Rask, agricultural economist from the should find interesting and informative. member nations around the globe. department of agricultural economics and rural These include one based on the 10 myths Because of its early initiative and com- sociology, Ohio State University, whose study of world hunger as exposed in the book, Food mitment, the University has earned a reputation has been in renewable energy, specifically in First, by Ms. Lapp and Joseph Collins, another in the province as a pacesetter in World Food Brazil, and who has also been associated on a by Guelph graduate, Rob Tanner, Crop Science Day activities. A number of University com- global level with the World Bank and FAO; professor, Jack Tanners son, that pinpoints on munity members, through Guelphs Speakers Winegard Visiting Professor, Dr. Kenneth a map of