The Association of Atlantic Universities’ (AAU) Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2024 Federal Budget recommends:

  • That any new or renewed federal funding programs which incentivize green infrastructure, such as Energy and Natural Resources Canada’s (ENRCan) proposed Green Building Strategy, be designed in a way that provides all post-secondary institutions, including Atlantic Canada’s universities, a fair chance to access funding.
  • That the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities direct the department to review and revise eligibility criteria for green infrastructure, energy efficiency and accessibility programs, ensuring Atlantic Canada’s universities are eligible for project funding which aligns with federal government policy goals. 
  • That the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities instruct the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to revise The National Housing Strategy to prioritize and establish a funding program to assist universities to build affordable, accessible on-and-off campus student housing and make post-secondary institutions eligible as a primary applicant for funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund.

Read the full submission below.