Colleges & Institutes Canada, Polytechnics Canada, and U15 Canada have issued their pre-budget submissions in advance of the 2025 federal budget. In their recommendations, all three organizations called for improved supports for research, development, and innovation activities. This includes investments in existing funds, such as the College and Community Innovation Program (CICan, Polytechnics Canada); as well as the creation of new initiatives like a dedicated defence innovation fund (Polytechnics Canada) or a Sovereign Technologies Fund (U15). They each highlighted opportunities to bolster Canada’s economy and workforce through the postsecondary sector, such as by creating a new set of Apprentice Wayfinding Accelerators (CICan) or offering training vouchers to support workforce adjustment and upskilling (Polytechnics Canada).
