Given Saskatchewan's booming economy and recent change of government, the shape of higher education in the province may be changing.
In an address to the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education on June 3, 2008, Parkland Regional College now Parkland College CEO Dr. Fay Myers observed that the goals of Saskatchewan's Regional Colleges need to change in response to the booming economy. She argues that the Regional Colleges need to take a "collaborative systems approach" to providing education in Saskatchewan and must be aware "of global forces" while developing "innovative industry partnerships" and "providing niche training."
According to the Saskatchewan Party's 2011 platform document, Moving Saskatchewan Forward, the province will be a place where "young people have the best educational and career opportunities." Their platform outlines a plan for a Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings in which the government will match 10% of the annual contribution to a child's RESP, to an annual maximum of $250. Their platform also commits to "creating more training opportunities, including improving education and employment outcomes for First Nations and Métis people.
The effect the Saskatchewan Party will have on the higher education system in Saskatchewan remains to be seen. With the possible expansion of degree-granting institutions, the examination of how the Regional colleges serve the province and a recent agreement signed between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and The Government of Saskatchewan to work together to establish a Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes in Saskatchewan, higher education in the province is expected to continue to change.
Despite improved infrastructure to Aboriginal controlled institutions and increased funding to help improve the lives of the First Nations and Metis community, the government must think of long term effective strategies to improve their educational status without compromising their traditional culture and values while integrating them into mainstream Canadian society.