The University of Lethbridge is hoping that the provincial government will restore previously-cut funding. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

UPDATE: Statement from Minister

U of L Students’ Union says operating grant cut 20% under UCP, calls for funding restoration

Feb 11, 2025 | 1:28 PM

The president of the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) is asking for the Government of Alberta to increase funding following years of cuts.

Maleeka Thomas says, since the election of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in 2019, the U of L has seen a 20 per cent reduction in its operating grant, or approximately $22 million.

She explains that when post-secondary schools are faced with budget cuts, they will often increase tuition to help make up for the difference. Now, however, that is not even an option.

The province enacted a two per cent cap on tuition increases for domestic students in 2023 and the federal government is lowering the number of international student visas it issues.

The latter decision led to Lethbridge Polytechnic announcing the closure of its English Language Centre, while the university is limiting the number of people it can hire.

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Thomas says other fees have increased as a result, such as textbooks, building fees, and residence.

She adds that many students, including herself, feel that they are no longer getting a good “bang for their buck.”

“A lot of our students here as well, when we talk to them, they mention that they don’t want to stay in province anymore because they think the government isn’t invested in their educational future, so they start looking at other places to go,” says Thomas. “I’m about to graduate and I’m looking at other provinces where I can do my Master’s because it’s just not affordable here anymore.”

The U of L has let go of several academic advisors and teaching assistants due to budget constraints.

According to Thomas, that has led to students not getting the supports they need. Professors are not only dealing with larger class sizes but less support, which Thomas says leaves many feeling burned out.

The provincial government is spending $224.8 million to create new rural medical school programs at the U of L and Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie.

Thomas says, that while she appreciates the investment into that new program, it is the operating grant that allows the university to continue to function.

“Without that funding, without that investment in our institutions, we have to make up the cost in other ways. So, that’s going to impact the number of students that we have within that program itself, for example, right?” says Thomas. “You know, you can have the money to get the program off the ground, but is it not going to still be operating if you keep cutting the funding every single year.”

The Government of Alberta is set to announce its 2025 budget in the coming weeks. Thomas hopes that it will include an increase in funding for the U of L, but she is not optimistic.

Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney provided the following statement to LNN in response:

“As Minister of Advanced Education, my top priority is listening and responding to the concerns of Alberta students. While Budget 2025 discussions continue, we have undertaken significant consultation with a range of stakeholders, including students and student unions.

Last year, we allocated over $1.4 billion to help Alberta’s students access a post-secondary education, including loans, grants, bursaries, awards, and scholarships – all of which can be used to support living costs.

We also instituted a 2% cap on domestic tuition increases, reduced the interest rate on Alberta student loans, extended the payment and interest free grace period for loans, increased eligibility for the Repayment Assistance Plan, rejected exceptional tuition increases (ETIs), and modernized student aid shelter allowances.

Alberta is funding post-secondary education in a responsible way that provides students with the most value for their investment, and ensures we continue to produce a skilled workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. In addition to the base operating grants, we have provided over $312 million in Targeted Enrolment Expansion, and have invested $1.5 billion in over 20 capital projects across Alberta since 2019, ensuring that Alberta students have enough seats in the programs they choose.

The Mintz Panel, which was established last December, will provide its recommendations later this year to further assist in ensuring that funding levels are appropriate and used in the most effective way possible to support student success.”

READ MORE: Deal signed to create medical school program at U of L

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