Canadians cut spend on salaries

Canadian universities are spending proportionately less on academic salaries, leading to criticism of their sense of priorities.

According to figures from the Canadian Association of University Teachers, universities spent 29.8 per cent of their total 1999 budgets on academic rank salaries, down from 31.4 per cent in 1995 and 36.5 per cent in 1975.

David Robinson, the Caut's director of public policy and communications, said the decrease damaged frontline activities and was doubly damaging in light of rising tuition fees.

Mr Robinson said: "Senior administrators are warning of a faculty shortage crisis, but they are still reluctant to invest in human resources. It makes you ask what their priorities are."