UPEI, Holland College should merge, NDP says

The NDP in P.E.I.has asked the province to examine the possibility of merging UPEI and Holland College into one one post-secondary institution.

• UPEI lays off staff, shuffles positions to save money

"We are a small province of a population a little over 145,000 people, we cannot continue funding both institutions at the rate we are," said NDP Leader MikeRedmond in a written release Friday.

It is unacceptable for both these institutions to continue to go hat-in-hand to government for more money every year.Mike Redmond, P.E.I.- NDP Leader

Because UPEI and Holland College are exempt from Freedom of Information Legislation, Redmondsaid,the public doesn't see where their tax dollars go. The institutions have been "political patronage dumping grounds" for decades, he said.

"It is unacceptable for both these institutions to continue to go hat-in-hand to government for more money every year, just as it is unethical that our provincial government uses post secondary institutions to hire friends and families of their respective political parties," he said.

CBC has put a request in to the premier's office for a response.

Funding from the provincial government to UPEI and Holland College, as well as Collge Acadie, has increased 71 per centin the last eight years to more than $78 million for 2015-16, Redmond said.

Duplication of services

He believes merging UPEI and Holland College would help alleviate the financial burden.

For example, the NDP does not believe there is a need for two presidents, two vice-presidents or two athletic departments, or the duplication of services like the registrar's office, procurement services, and facilities management.

"We know [UPEI] is on the verge of locking out its professors, staff and faculty. We know the university has let a multi-million dollar turf facility fall into disrepair. All this while they have increased tuition at Holland College by two per cent and UPEI by three per cent," Redmond said.

"There seems to be some very serious management issues and the people of this province should not have to pay for their mismanagement."

UPEI, meanwhile, said it has no plans for a lockout and is looking forward to resuming contract negotiations with faculty.The current contract between the university and the faculty association expires June 30.

"We are committed to arriving at a deal by June 30 because we want to have labour peace," it said in a statement.

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