Every election, OCUFA asks Ontario’s leading political parties to fill out a questionnaire on issues important to professors and academic librarians in Ontario. It is a chance for each party to outline their plans for higher education and labour relations. Today, we are pleased to release the results of the 2014 survey. Here are some […]
Search Results for librarians
Leaders absent on postsecondary issues in debate
For such a lengthy debate on jobs and the economy, all of the Ontario party leaders missed a huge driver of growth for both fields: postsecondary education. The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is disappointed that postsecondary education wasn’t given any time in tonight’s debate despite the sector’s huge economic impact. “I’m absolutely baffled […]
What to watch for in tonight’s debate
Tonight, the leaders of the three major parties will square off in the first – and only – televised debate of the 2014 Ontario Election campaign (6:30 p.m. on CBC). Kathleen Wynne, Tim Hudak, and Andrea Horwath will lay out their respective visions for the province. The media analysts will likely focus on who gives […]
VIDEO: Prof. Larry Savage on labour issues and the 2014 provincial election
As part of our ongoing election activities, OCUFA has met with experts on issues important to faculty to talk about how they will figure into the 2014 provincial election. Videos of these conversations are available under the “Resources” tab of our election webpage . Professor Larry Savage, Director of the Centre for Labour Studies at Brock University, weighed […]
OCUFA election website goes live
OCUFA launched its election website last week with the goal of educating and empowering Ontario voters and highlighting the importance of higher education in the election campaign, while also providing resources to help professors and academic librarians get involved in the election, better understand the issues and platforms, educate others, and vote wisely at the ballot box. Website features: […]
Ontario political parties don’t make the grade on higher education
The grades are in: Wynne, Hudak, and Horwath all receive failing marks when it comes to postsecondary issues in Ontario. All parties have failed to respond adequately to PSE in their platforms according to the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). The Liberal’s plan seems to be one of benign neglect, the NDP’s […]
Ontario Liberals’ plan misses the opportunity to adequately address postsecondary education sector’s needs
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is disappointed that the Ontario Liberal Party platform did not do more to respond to the pressing needs of the province’s postsecondary education sector. The Liberals provided a more comprehensive plan for higher education than the Ontario PC or New Democratic parties. Unlike the other parties, the […]
Ontario NDP platform falls short of tackling major issues in higher education
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) commends the NDP’s proposal to freeze provincial tuition fees and eliminate interest on student loans, but notes that the party needs to do much more to ensure the long-term health of the Ontario postsecondary sector. “The NDP platform goes further than any other official platform released […]
OCUFA condemns firing of University of Saskatchewan dean
Yesterday, news broke that the University of Saskatchewan had fired Robert Buckingham, Dean of Public Health, for publicly criticizing the administration’s “TransformUS” plan . TransformUS is the result of a controversial program prioritization process at the university, similar to processes underway at several Ontario institutions. Today, OCUFA President Kate Lawson wrote a letter to University of Saskatchewan condemning the firing as a grievous violation of academic freedom. The text […]
Hudak’s election platform highlighted by regressive policies, attack on students, faculty, and universities
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is raising the alarm about the PC party’s election platform with major concerns about the party’s proposal to cut a huge number of education jobs and raise tuition for students and their families. “The PC proposals will devastate essential public services that Ontarians care about,” said Kate […]
Ontario election gets underway
This week marked the first official week of the 2014 Ontario election. The party leaders were out on the road, making their pitch to voters in the GTA. Early on, job creation seems to be a major focus of all three parties. So why are they saying so little about universities? Ontario’s universities train students […]
OCUFA Activities
GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS: To accomplish its objectives OCUFA regularly meets with: the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Cabinet Ministers and MPP’s Senior Civil Servants the Education Critics and Members of the Opposition Parties other appropriate government agencies the Council of Ontario University, the Canadian Federation of Students,the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance and organizations representing university […]
Data Check: Per-student university funding on track to hit lowest level in 50 years
While now consigned to the dustbin of history, the 2014 Ontario Budget was a puzzling document. Although it explicitly sought to “strengthen our competitive advantage, create jobs, and provide vital public services” and “foster a fair society,” it nevertheless overlooked the worrying funding trend at the province’s universities. “Ontario’s universities have the capacity to achieve […]
Premier Wynne dissolves legislature, election to be held June 12, 2014
Today, Premier Kathleen Wynne dissolved the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and set June 12, 2014 as the date for the next provincial election. Wynne called an election after it became clear that neither the Ontario New Democratic Party and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario would allow the 2014 Ontario Budget to pass. Like every […]
2014 Ontario Budget has some hits, misses opportunity to invest in universities
TORONTO – Professors and academic librarians across Ontario are puzzled that today’s provincial budget did not make significant new investments in higher education. In a budget that seeks to “strengthen our competitive advantage, create jobs, and provide vital public services” it is surprising that universities were overlooked. “Ontario’s universities have the capacity to achieve all […]