Amid a challenging fiscal environment, we welcome the Government of Alberta’s decision in Budget 2026 to prioritize post-secondary education and to increase the university’s operating grant after several years without growth.
Our operating grant will rise by $13.1 million to $449 million in both 2025/26 and 2026/27. This investment helps address a portion of the approximately $30 million in additional compensation costs arising from recently concluded collective agreements with our three unions. It enables us to continue supporting our faculty and staff while sustaining the high-quality learning, research and innovation environment that Albertans expect from the University of Alberta.
Budget 2026 also continues the province’s commitment to the Targeted Enrolment Expansion (TEE) program. The additional $148 million over three years will create more than 4,000 new student spaces across the system in high-demand fields such as healthcare, education and engineering – areas in which the University of Alberta plays a leading role in meeting provincial workforce needs. Since 2022, TEE has supported the creation of almost 4,000 new seats at the U of A alone, including in science, business, engineering, nursing, medical laboratory science, and public health. We look forward to further direction from Advanced Education on the next phase of this important initiative.
We are also pleased to receive ongoing support for two priority capital projects: the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre and enhancements to Campus Saint-Jean. LIFT will strengthen Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, help attract and retain top talent, and is projected to generate approximately $154 million in additional economic impact within its first five years. Campus Saint-Jean plays a vital role as Alberta’s only Francophone post-secondary institution.
In addition, the 3.9 per cent increase to the Capital Maintenance and Renewal program will help address critical deferred maintenance, ensuring that our facilities remain safe, modern and capable of supporting advanced teaching and research.
While these investments are significant and appreciated, financial pressures across the sector remain substantial. The university will continue to pursue disciplined cost management while expanding revenue from partnerships, philanthropy, research, and other non-government sources.
Over the longer term, we look forward to the government’s response to the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness. A sustainable, predictable funding framework is essential to maintaining global competitiveness, expanding access for students, and supporting the province’s economic and social development.
The University of Alberta remains committed to working in partnership with the Government of Alberta to expand opportunities for students, meet workforce needs, strengthen research and innovation capacity, and build a resilient and globally competitive post-secondary system.
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-Chancellor