There are a number of factors at play here.
Inflation is a global challenge—I'll just say that. Every institution and every country is facing a postpandemic inflation challenge.
In addition to the inflation challenge, there has also been a destabilizing at the provincial level. We all want students to succeed. The impact of the tuition freeze in Ontario has taken $2 billion out of Ontario's university system. Nobody is asking universities to do less, but there are two billion fewer dollars in Ontario right now than there were recently. If you look at the Alberta situation, $400 million has been taken out by the provincial government there.
Universities are being asked to do more for all parts of society, and for students, faculty and their communities. I'll remind members that, throughout the pandemic, universities stayed open. Throughout the pandemic, universities delivered emergency PPE. Throughout the pandemic, we conducted research that shortened the pandemic.
We're trying to get the government's and all parties' attention on the urgent need we are facing for reinvestment.