On April 4, 2012, 27 OCUFA ambassadors from faculty associations across Ontario met with MPPs at Queen’s Park. OCUFA representatives met one-on-one with 30 MPPs from university ridings, including six cabinet ministers. There was also a meeting with members of the Premier’s staff.
The ambassadors made the case for renewed investment in public university funding, new full-time faculty hiring, and the need for a measured, consultative approach to university reform. The MPPs were asked to reconsider the ‘austerity agenda’ included in the recent provincial budget, and invest in the future of Ontario through an affordable and high quality education system.
After the meetings, OCUFA also hosted a reception for MPPs and staff, attended by over a hundred faculty, politicians, and Queen’s Park staffers. President Constance Adamson’s welcoming remarks reiterated the need for increased public funding. Or, in her words, “investing in higher education always makes sense”.
OCUFA staff will be following up with the MPPs over the coming weeks, as part of our sustained advocacy initiatives.
This article originally appeared in the OCUFA Report. To receive stories like this every week in your inbox, please subscribe.