Universities: Partners in Canada’s COVID-19 recovery
A strong Canada needs strong universities. As Canada moves toward recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s universities will help accelerate the country’s ability to build back better.
By ensuring high quality education for students, providing skills training for workers displaced by the pandemic, and driving research and innovation for Canada’s future, universities will support Canadian communities to emerge stronger on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic and help build a stronger, more innovative and more inclusive Canada.
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93%value strong universities
93% of Canadians believe strong universities are essential to creating a healthy, safe and prosperous Canada.
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88%believe investments are needed in higher education
88% of Canadians believe Canada should invest heavily in higher education to ensure a prosperous future during these uncertain times.
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84%support higher education
84% of Canadians believe we need higher education now more than ever before.
Driving research and innovation
Universities are on the front lines in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating post-pandemic recovery through research, innovation and knowledge mobilization. They are conducting medical research to find a vaccine, pursuing social research to understand the impacts of the pandemic on human behaviour, and advancing economic and historical research to teach lessons from the past and chart a course for the future.
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93%believe universities can make the world
a better place93% of Canadians believe that universities have an important role to play in making the world a better place through science, research and innovation.
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90%support research and innovation
More than 90% of Canadians believe it is important for Canada’s universities to play a role in inventing the medicines, technologies and innovations the world needs.
Upskilling and reskilling Canadians
Universities are equipping Canadians of all ages and backgrounds, including those who have been displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the essential skills needed to support Canada’s recovery and accelerate long-term prosperity.
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95%believe university education leads to
a bright future95% of Canadians believe universities have an important role to play in providing young people with bright futures.
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83%support lifelong learning
83% of Canadians believe it is important for universities to play a role in providing opportunities for older Canadians to continue their education.
Supporting students at home and abroad
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have been adapting and innovating to deliver the highest quality of education possible to students at home and abroad. And while many students have started their studies online, universities are working with all levels of government to ensure a safe and welcoming return to campus for students—both domestic and international—as soon as conditions permit.
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89%value universities' global partnerships
89% of Canadians believe universities have an important role to play in establishing global connections and partnerships for the benefit of Canada.
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89%believe universities attract top talent
89% of Canadians believe it is important for Canada’s universities to play a role in attracting top talent from around the world.
Investing in a sustainable Canada
Universities value the importance of green, digital and accessible infrastructure to help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce their carbon footprint and ensure a sustainable post-pandemic recovery for Canada and the world.
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86%want a smaller carbon footprint
86% of Canadians believe universities have an important role to play in developing solutions for a strong economy with a smaller carbon footprint.
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85%believe climate solutions are needed
85% of Canadians believe it is important for Canada’s universities to play a role in finding climate solutions the world needs.
Ensuring an inclusive recovery
Closing the economic and equity gaps that have been exacerbated by COVID-19 is essential to building a more prosperous and equal future for Canada. Universities are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion on campus and in our society to ensure an inclusive recovery that benefits all Canadians.
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88%believe universities can help address discrimination
88% of Canadians believe universities have an important role to play in reducing inequality and discrimination.
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86%believe universities can help reduce
inequality86% of Canadians believe universities play an important role in reducing the gap between the wealthiest and poorest populations in Canada.
