The full speech can be found online.

Included in the speech were statements emphasizing the economic potential of Manitoba’s north and rural areas, provincial support for the Canada Summer Games, the elimination of bureaucratic red tape, improved child welfare and repairing government services.

University of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor David T. Barnard welcomed the opportunity to hear the priorities of the new government.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the provincial government on our shared priorities, such as improving and strengthening Manitoba’s northern communities, and we appreciate the commitments outlined in today’s Speech from the Throne focused on addressing economic and social needs,” said Barnard.

In the speech, the government committed to improvements in financial support for post-secondary students by increasing the amount of provincial support overall and leveraging more private sector matching funds. The Manitoba bursary program will be converted into new student grants targeted at lower income and Indigenous students, and a new scholarship program will be created in partnership with the Nellie McClung Foundation.

“I concur with the government’s view that education and training form fundamental building blocks for Manitoba’s future economic success. Quality education is essential for the province’s prosperity, and the University of Manitoba is proud to continue offering high quality post-secondary education to Manitobans,” said Barnard.

Regarding the 2017 Canada Summer Games, President Barnard noted: “The U of M will play host to the Games and is looking forward to welcoming Canada’s young athletes to its campus. Government support for infrastructure such as University Stadium will enable the University to attract high profile events and spur additional economic benefits to the province.”

The Governor General outlined that the new government will focus on growth for the middle class, an open and transparent government, a clean environment and a strong economy, strengthening Canada’s diversity, and security and opportunity.

The Liberal government has promised to implement the recommendations for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and provide each First Nations child with a quality education.

“I am pleased that the federal government is committed to supporting Indigenous education by ensuring that Indigenous youth have a solid educational foundation,” said Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor. “This aligns with the University of Manitoba’s commitment to Indigenous achievement and will help us foster the development of the next generation of Indigenous leaders.”

Deborah Young, executive lead, Indigenous Achievement, echoed her support for commitments in the Speech from the Throne.

“I commend the federal government on its willingness to improve the relationship with this country’s Indigenous peoples and to translate the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in to action.”

The University of Manitoba also supports the federal government’s plan to create more opportunities for young people by making post-secondary education more affordable, especially for low and middle-income families.

The University of Manitoba welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with the federal government to meet its priorities in the years to come.

In the speech, delivered by the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Philip S. Lee, the Province has made a commitment to invest in education at every level and create good jobs for families. Premier Greg Selinger said this would ensure our young people can “put down roots” here in Manitoba. In particular, the Province wants to launch a new Credit Transfer Portal to help students move more easily between programs and institutions.

As well, the Province has pledged to eliminate interest on student loans, create new hybrid college/university programs and bring together education leaders to develop a new post-secondary education strategy to be released in the spring of 2015. Of great significance is the Province’s stated intention to work with the University of Manitoba on a proposal for a Master of Social Work in Indigenous Knowledge, as recommended by the Premier’s Advisory Council on Education, Poverty and Citizenship.

“I am pleased to see that the province continues to recognize the importance of post-secondary education to Manitoba`s future,” said Dr. David Barnard, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “Universities in Manitoba have already been working together on a wide range of issues from procurement to credit transfers for graduate students. Eliminating interest on student loans and easing transition between institutions will further improve the student experience and help them pursue studies that allow them to take their place front and centre in Manitoba’s economy.”

Dr. Barnard is chair of the Council of Presidents of Universities in Manitoba (COPUM), which has made system cooperation between institutions a priority. COPUM has been working on identifying further opportunities to reduce duplication in the post-secondary system, improve credit transfer arrangements between institutions, enhance collaborative work on Indigenous education, and ensure that institutions are delivering the best quality programs that will meet the demands of students and the provincial economy.

The Throne Speech contained support of specific aspects of the economy such as infrastructure, health care and Indigenous education. This focus fits well with University of Manitoba priorities recently introduced within a comprehensive philanthropic campaign called Front and Centre that will influence Manitoba’s growth for generations to come.

The U of M generates approximately $1.8 billion towards the provincial economy, attracts more than 180,000 visitors to the province annually, and supports more than 20,000 Manitoba jobs.

The Throne Speech noted the educational success of Aboriginal youth is essential to the prosperity of Manitoba. The government will continue its efforts to increase high school graduation rates on reserves and ensure that Aboriginal youth are finding their way to postsecondary education and good jobs.

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit youth are the fastest growing population group in Manitoba and are the key to the future of this province. The University of Manitoba is one of the most prominent voices in the nation’s conversation with Indigenous peoples. While the U of M has one of the highest Indigenous student populations of any university in Canada, its goal is to create a student body that more accurately reflects the demographics of this province. The growth of a skilled and educated Indigenous workforce is vital to improved health, social, and economic outcomes for individuals, communities, and our province.

Dr. Barnard added: “The University of Manitoba looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with the provincial government to ensure a prosperous future for Manitoba and Manitobans.”

With the speech, the Province renewed its commitment to education and training as keys to keeping Manitoba competitive. In particular, the Province cited the importance of efforts to further integrate the post-secondary education system and ease the transfer of students from one institution to another.

Research breakthroughs at the University of Manitoba and infrastructure development earned mention as highlights for the year: “Manitoba scientists are conducting cutting-edge research. At the University of Manitoba, researchers have identified the gene associated with ALS… Renewal at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus continues with the re-development of Taché Hall into a new visual and performing arts hub. Last week, the U of M selected a consortium of Winnipeg and Toronto firms to design and plan for the future development of the Fort Garry campus and the re-development of the former Southwood golf course into a vibrant mixed-use space. This year also marked the official opening of the Investors’ Group Field, a world-class facility for professional, amateur and university sport. Work continues on a new Active Living Centre at the U of M, slated to open in 2015.” Future high-profile events to be held on campus — the FIFA World Women’s Cup in 2015 and the Canada Summer Games in 2017 — were also cited.

The speech also reiterated the Province’s commitment for phase two of rapid transit, bringing rapid transit all the way through to the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus.