Ontario hands out $2.8 million to Carleton

 

The Ontario government’s announcement of $150 million in immediate, one-time support to Ontario universities and colleges is a much-appreciated effort given the current state of the economy, said Carleton University president Dr. Roseann Runte.

 

Member of provincial parliament Yasir Naqvi announced on May 14 that Carleton University would receive $2.8 million of the funding from the provincial government in what the government is calling part of its Reaching Higher Funding Plan.

 

“We are deeply grateful for the money that was given by the government,” said Runte.

 

The new Carleton University Students Association (CUSA) president Erik Halliwell was pleased with the announcement.

 

“Money from the government is always a good thing . . . It’s a good first step toward the goal of dropping fees across Ontario,” said Halliwell.

 

Halliwell will be meeting with Runte in the coming weeks and said he plans to discuss the possibilities of money being put towards dropping student’s fees.

 

In the 2007 provincial electoral race for Ottawa Centre, Naqvi stated that he was committed to giving support to Ottawa’s post-secondary education. Naqvi said this funding is a start. “There is always more that we need to do.”

 

Naqvi said he was pleased with Runte’s announcement that half of the money given by the province would be used for Carleton graduate student research and classes.

 

Despite the current economic climate, Naqvi said the provincial government was not hesitant to make room in the budget.