The government of Nova Scotia tabled its 2020-21 budget today, and it includes several items of direct interest to ±«Óătv.
First, the operating grant to universities will increase by 1%, as per the MOU between the Province and all 10 universities. There is also new funding for health research, inclusive education, and renewal of some of the university’s aging facilities.
“We welcome the Government of Nova Scotia’s continued support of our province’s post-secondary institutions,” says ±«Óătv President Dr. Deep Saini. “These funding commitments reflect the vital role ±«Óătv plays in advancing the social, economic and cultural development of our province. We’re proud to be working in partnership with government to ensure a stronger future for Nova Scotia.”
The budget includes $4.7 million in funding to address health priorities, including increasing the number of residency placements for specialists and family medicine, 12 new seats in the medical school, with a focus on the needs of rural, Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities, and eight new seats in ±«Óătv’s Nursing program in Yarmouth.
In legal education, the province is infusing ±«Óătv’s Indigenous Black & Mi’kmaq Initiative (IB&M) with new funding. Located in the Schulich School of Law and having just marked its 30th anniversary this year, IB&M will see its provincial funding increase by $350,000 annually.
In research, the province is committing $1 million to Ovarian Cancer Canada to collaborate with ±«Óătv researchers. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer for women, and the most serious; it’s estimated that 2,800 Canadians each year will be diagnosed with the disease. The funding makes Nova Scotia the first province to support a national campaign to find a cure.
The budget also makes an important one-time contribution towards the deferred maintenance needs facing universities. Approximately half of the $20.2 million announced will go to ±«Óătv to help address the more than $500 million in overdue maintenance requirements for facilities and buildings.
For more on the budget, .