KEY BUDGET DRIVER FORECASTS 2013-14 to 2016-17
Key Budget Driver: Government Grants
Indicator:
Annual % Change and Total Base Operating Funding
Prepared by:
Resource Planning
Section A:
Industry/Sector Trends
Government of Canada
The federal budget was tabled in March 2012. The Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on “Jobs, Growth,
and Prosperity”. The Action Plan focuses on the drivers of growth and job creation with innovation,
training, and education being targeted. In particular, $341 million of stimulus, over the next two years, will
be directed towards advanced research, education and training at universities and other research institutes.
Provincial Government
In February 2012, the provincial government tabled Budget 2012, with a focus on maintaining fiscal
discipline while investing in priority areas such as communities, families and education. The provincial
government has included the following post-secondary items in their budget:
For the post-secondary education and technology sectors the Ministry of Advanced Education and
Technology received a 2.6% budget reduction in 2012-13 (compared to 2011-12 Budget). This budget
includes:

2% increase in operating grants for post-secondary institutions in each of the next three years,
including $2.2 billion in 2012-13.

$274 million in student loans for more than 53,000 students this year and $71 million in
scholarships for 37,500 students.

$225 million in capital grants over the forecast period for capital maintenance and renewal of
post- secondary institutions including Agricultural facilities in Kinsella and St Albert for the
University of Alberta.
Section B:
Trends within the University of Alberta
Alberta:
The intention of the Campus Alberta Grant funding approach is to establish institutional funded enrollment
ranges to allow greater flexibility for an institution to allocate resources relative to student demand. Future
funding will be impacted by comparing actual and projected enrollment to the enrollment range.
Commencing in 2012-13, the Campus Alberta Grant will increase by 2% a year for the next three years.
The province has not yet signaled its intentions for 2015-16 and beyond. If the price of oil increases as
forecasted the Government would be better positioned to increase either the Campus Alberta Grant, or to
direct additional grants to the University of Alberta. Additional base funding may be allocated for cost
pressures such as new building operating “lights on” costs.
Office of Resource Planning, University of Alberta
09/02/16
Historic Base Operating Grant Increases:
2005-06 to 2009-10 6.0%
2010-11 to 2011-12
Section C:
0.0%
Key Budget Driver Forecasts
Indicator: Base Operating Funding
Indicator
Campus Alberta Grant
11/12
Actual
0.0%
12/13
Budget
2.0%
13/14
Forecast
2.0%
14/15
Forecast
2.0%
15-16
Forecast
tbd
16-17
Forecast
tbd
Sources and Predictors:
Government of Alberta’s Economic Outlook (Fiscal Plan 2012-15), Government of Canada Economic Action Plan 2012
(March 2012)
Office of Resource Planning, University of Alberta
09/02/16