You did not, and apparently, I'm not allowed to say such things because we need empirical evidence to support that, but trust me, it is.
Welcome to you all.
First of all, I too would like to acknowledge that we are on Treaty No. 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis. We pay respect to the first nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationships with one another.
My name is Jamie Miley. I am senior strategist of public affairs at the University of Saskatchewan. I bring greetings on behalf of the president and vice-chancellor Peter Stoicheff, who unfortunately is unable to be here today as he is travelling on business.
There are three points I'd like to convey from the U of S, a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. Some of this has been said before, but it bears repeating.
First of all, the Naylor recommendation that is most important to the university at this time is the call for greater federal support for major scientific infrastructure, as Paul already said. The current situation is that 40% of the funding for these critically important major scientific research facilities comes from the federal government, matched by 60% from the public and private sources. This allocation funding needs to be reversed to at least 60% from the federal government and up to 40% from other public or private sector contributors.
Given that our university alone, through its Canadian Light Source synchrotron and VIDO-InterVac infectious disease facilities, accounts for 23% of all CFI major science infrastructure funding, it's extremely important for us that this Naylor report recommendation be followed. These unique in-Canada synchrotron and infectious disease research facilities are enormous economic drivers. Not only did the creation and construction contribute to local economies and industries, but also these unique in-Canada facilities bring people from around the world to Saskatchewan. That's to say nothing of the economic spinoff that results from these discoveries and facilities.
The second point I would like to make is that we support federal review of federal funding for access to post-secondary education for indigenous students. The U of S has placed itself at the forefront in addressing the needs of our first nations people, in helping them find a place at our university where they can feel welcome, and in helping them to achieve their goals.
We understand that the 2018 budget will contain some short-term ways of addressing improvements to the PSSSP. Our president, Peter Stoicheff, chairs the Universities Canada education committee that is supporting the federal government's review of post-secondary funding for indigenous students. Because of the large number of indigenous students at our university and in this province, we feel that this review is extremely important.
Studies by a professor in our economics department have shown that the education gap costs the province and beyond billions of dollars. In his latest study released last week, Professor Eric Howe noted that just raising the indigenous high school diplomas to be the same proportion as for non-indigenous populations is a $21.9 billion benefit. This alone is equal to more than one-quarter of the highest value of provincial GDP recorded in Saskatchewan's history, and the largest payoff of all is for a university degree.
The third point I want to make is that the federal government's innovation agenda is an initiative that the U of S can help advance. The University of Saskatchewan is an economic powerhouse in this province. We contribute $1.3 billion to the provincial economy every year.
Consider this: In the 1970s, nearly half of the arable land was summer fallow. Through investments in science and innovation, our colleges in agriculture and engineering have developed new crops and seeding technologies that have turned that number into 100% use of these lands in any growing year. What does that mean? It means that since 1970, innovation alone has produced a net yield of nearly $50 billion.
The impact of that number is truly staggering. When you compare the amount of money that has been invested through provincial grants to the university, roughly in the neighbourhood of $9.5 billion in investment with a $50-billion return, I think we'd take that business deal any day of the week.
The strengthened connections with the federal government that is fostering links between university research and industry to help find solutions to local and global challenges are, indeed, valuable to the regions and to the country as a whole. The superclusters program is an excellent example of why we are optimistic about what can be achieved through this innovative initiative.
Thank you for taking the time to hear our views. At the University of Saskatchewan, we look forward to continuing to work with the federal government in building a more prosperous and globally competitive Canada.