CASTLEGAR–Gordon Campbell’s budget cuts to colleges and universities will hurt Selkirk College and the communities it serves, say the New Democrats.  

“Selkirk College is extremely important to this region,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Katrine ConroyWest Kootenay-Boundary. “It provides quality education for our students, and it creates an economic stimulus for the area. Selkirk College is facing a significant deficit that has resulted in critical programs being cancelled, hurting students, our economy and our community,” said Conroy.  

The Ministry of Advanced Education has given the college additional funding to account for such things as ‘framework agreements’, however they have also removed 2.6% from their base funding. The net result is that a small college like Selkirk finds itself receiving an additional $100,000 more than last year while being saddled with committed expense increases in the neighborhood of $2 million.

The end result is a projected shortfall of over $1.8 million. While the government announces that all post secondary institutions in BC are receiving an increase in funding, the facts are much different. Throughout the province, colleges and universities have to make cuts to programs and expenses. 

Rob FlemingThe College has announced that Human Kinetics, Process Operations and the West Kootenay Teachers’ Education Program, which has been operating out of Selkirk College for the past 18 years, will be cancelled to help make up the funding shortfall.

“The West Kootenay Teachers’ Education Program is an extremely successful program that has given local students a quality teacher education in their home community. Now, after almost 20 years, the program has fallen to the Campbell government’s funding cuts,” said Conroy. 

“Instead of opening the doors to education, the Campbell government is slamming the door on students and families in every part of the province,” said Rob Fleming, NDP Advanced Education critic. “We need more support for post-secondary education – not less.” 

The Campbell government cuts to advanced education programs are taking place a year after a report it commissioned recommended more resources for advanced education, and at a time when other provincial governments are increasing advanced education funding.  

“It flies in the face of B.C. Liberal promises to improve access to advanced education,” said Fleming.

Katrine Conroy

Kootenay West

Katrine Conroy was elected as the MLA for Kootenay West May 12, 2009.

Rob Fleming

Victoria-Swan Lake

Rob Fleming was elected on May 17, 2005 as the MLA for Victoria-Hillside, and re-elected on May 12, 2009 as the MLA for the re-configured consti