March 2012
In light of recognized underfunding, the Quebec government budget promises substantial additional funding for the 2013 fiscal year (FY2013) through FY2017, in the form of tuition increases and augmented grants.
September-October 2012
Following the provincial election, the new Quebec government cancels tuition increases, but promises that financial compensation will be provided in 2012–13 "to keep universities whole."
November 20, 2012
The new government promises, in its mini-budget, to maintain funding for universities from FY2013 through FY2019—but says it will cut funds to Quebec's research granting councils. This increases the financial burden on research-intensive universities like McGill.
December 6, 2012
The government cuts $124 million out of their university budget—savings that Quebec's universities are expected to realize before April 30, 2013.
Mid-December 2012 to mid-January 2013
Quebec's government maintains it will reinvest $1.7 billion in universities over seven years, but few details are provided.
January 18, 2013
Pierre Duchesne, Quebec's Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, states that universities will face even worse cuts next year.
January 22, 2013
The government reverses the position it held just a few weeks earlier, now stating that the $1.7 billion reinvestment is not guaranteed. They now say that the funding formula for universities will be changed, but no details are shared regarding proposed mechanisms for this new formula, or whether any consultations will take place.
January 30, 2013
Quebec's government informs McGill that the University may not receive the final $32 million installment of our grant this year unless we cut $9.6 million before April 30, 2013.
February 8, 2013
Premier Pauline Marois says that Quebec's universities are over-financed.
February 8, 2013
McGill receives a letter from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, stating that:
- Cuts of $124 million annually will be imposed on Quebec's universities for FY2013 and FY2014, but reinvestment will be made from FY2015 onward. McGill's share of the cuts is $38.2 million in total over the two years.
- However, unless McGill identifies ways to reduce expenses by at least 50% of these cuts before FY2014, the government will withhold McGill's "conditional grant": about $35 million.
February 28, 2013
Following the Summit on Higher Education, McGill receives a letter from CREPUQ, outlining the Government offer. The Government proposes two mechanisms to give universities flexibility in taking the cuts:
- Advances in operating grants: Starting in April 2014, universities can get an “advance” on their grant for the next fiscal year, similar to getting an advance on your next paycheque in order to pay your bills.
- Universities have to reduce their expenses by only 25% of the $250 million cuts by April 2014, and can put as much as 75% of the cut on their deficits without being penalized by the Government.
Universities will still receive $250 million less in operating funding from the Quebec government by March 2014.
April 18, 2013
The Government informs McGill that the 3% tuition indexation is now revised down to 2.6%. This adjustment represents an approximate $200,000 to $300,000 loss in gross annual revenue for McGill, beginning in fiscal 2014.
