Post-secondary Learning Act

Bill 43, the Post-secondary Learning Act, 2003, was introduced by the Alberta government following a comprehensive review of Alberta's post-secondary education system, which included consultation with MLAs, stakeholders, and members of the public. The Post-secondary Learning Act combines and updates the four separate Acts that govern Alberta's public post-secondary institutions - the Universities Act, the Colleges Act, the Technical Institutes Act, and the Banff Centre Act - into one complete piece of legislation. It sets the stage for taking Alberta's post-secondary system into the future as a system that is accessible, flexible and responsive regardless of where a student chooses to learn.

In addition to combining the four Acts, the Post-secondary Learning Act will:

• Establish the Campus Alberta Quality Council to facilitate the development and expansion of degree-granting opportunities;
• Give post-secondary institutions greater flexibility to conduct their business so they are better able to respond to the needs of students;
• Continue to provide students with predictable and manageable tuition fees; and,
• Balance the needs of institutions and communities with the elimination of the power of boards to expropriate land and sets out new requirements for universities when developing land.

News Releases:

• Post-secondary Learning Act proclaimed (March 17, 2004)
• Passage of Bill 43 opens new doors for students (December 4, 2003)
• Bill 43 amendments introduced following further consultation (November 20, 2003)
• Seamless post-secondary system supported by proposed legislation (May 12, 2003)

Documents:

• Post-secondary Learning Act
• Regulations
  • Approval of Programs of Study Regulation
  • Athabasca University Regulation
  • Long-range Plans and Commercial Purpose Definition Regulation
  • Model Provisions Regulation
  • Pension Validation Regulation
  • Public Post-secondary Institutions' Tuition Fees Regulation