Overview

• An expert panel delivered a 93-page final report with 11 recommendations to modernize Alberta’s post-secondary system.
• The report proposes a three-part funding framework combining enrolment-driven payments by program clusters, performance-based rewards, and base funding for fixed costs.
• Tuition changes would remove the 2% annual cap for new cohorts, limit increases for enrolled students to 2% during their program, and allow institutions to set first-year rates within a maximum set by Advanced Education.
• The panel cites 2023/24 revenues of 39% provincial, 32% tuition and fees, and 30% self-generated, and projects enrolment growth of 21% over the next decade.
• Other recommendations include targeted time-limited funding, prioritizing apprenticeships, lighter reporting, more non-repayable student aid, and streamlined program approvals; the minister signalled collaboration, some university leaders voiced support, the NDP warned of affordability risks, and a rabble.ca analysis alleges a push to curb DEI and ethical investment that remains unconfirmed.