Decision on University needs a review

Doesn’t Brampton need a university? Why is there a flip flop on the proposal that was put forth by the Liberal Government? These are some of the questions that residents of Brampton and nearby areas are trying to find an answer to. And the need for these answers is being felt, as Progressive Conservative government announced it won’t fund satellite post-secondary campuses in Brampton, Markham and Milton because of Ontario’s $15-billion deficit. A debt it’s blaming on the previous Liberal government. There was a sense of festivity among students and parents in 2014 when the Liberal government offered $ 300 million in funding for the new facilities. And over the years, interested stake holder came forward too and it appeared that Brampton was set to welcome Ryerson University and Sheridan College campuses that could offer higher courses to thousands of students.  Statement by Ford government saying it would be quashing the Wynne government’s $ 90 million commitment to the Ryerson campus that was slated for downtown Brampton came as a rude shock for not only the students but also for those who were planning to invest in Brampton considering ample well educated students would be available in few years to come.

Brampton’s MPPs should have raised a concern. However, that was not the case, in a note on Facebook Prabmeet Sarkaria and Amarjot Sidhu said that Doug Ford government was putting a “pause” on the post-secondary campus. The reasons cited by them, the commitment from the Liberal government was a desperate move leading into the last election sounded more political. They also cited that $15 billion provincial deficit as having prompted the decision, showed their little concern for the residents of Brampton.  Currently, the combined 18-24 year old population of Halton/Peel is almost 200,000 and is anticipated to grow by almost 20 per cent by 2035. Also, Brampton and Milton are two of the fastest growing communities in Canada, located along Ontario’s Innovation SuperCorridor, where there are dense pockets of start-ups, research institutions and world-class talent. Not to forget that population growth over the next 20 years is expected to be concentrated in areas in and around the City of Toronto, including York, Peel and Halton Regions. To add insult to the injury, the New Mayor for Brampton has done little to press the case. Those residents who think that it has come as a vindictive action against Patrick Brown will have to be extra careful. Those who have taken the decision against university in Brampton can call it justified, as the ones in Markham and Milton have been cancelled too.

The cancellation of the proposed universities is a short sighted decision. It’s not only about the students who have to go to other cities and towns to acquire higher education but also about depriving the budding engineers, entrepreneurs, administrators a chance that they could contribute to the development of the town. At the same time, it amount to leaving a big void in the availability of trained manpower that can be utilized towards building a stronger Ontario and a stronger Canada.

Various stakeholders will have to remember that Universities are economic drivers, and are catalysts for many complementary economic investment in any city.  These complementary quality of life and innovative investments are now at risk.  Brampton deserves a thoughtful, sustainable proposal to bring post-secondary education to these cities that have for long remained deprived of such facilities. The Doug Ford government will have to review its decision.