Canadian universities have generally welcomed the Liberal Party¡¯s unlikely comeback win in the country¡¯s election, but experts warn that ¡°huge question marks¡± remain over prime minister Mark Carney¡¯s stance on international students.

Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as leader in January, helped the Liberals overcome a huge polling deficit to defeat the Conservatives ¨C largely by convincing the public he can stand up to Donald Trump¡¯s trade war.

Christine Neill, associate professor of economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, said the sector will be ¡°cautiously optimistic¡± about the incoming minority government, despite the lack of focus on the key issues during the Trump-dominated campaign.

Though provinces are largely responsible for higher education, the Liberals¡¯ platform was ¡°pretty light¡± with nothing significant on student financial aid, but a promise of C$100 million (?54 million) in research funding over four years to attract leading researchers, she said.

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¡°Universities and research weren¡¯t really a priority in the election for understandable reasons. But I think Canadians expect that their governments can walk and chew gum at the same time.¡±

Carney, who has never previously held elected office, has not shied away from embracing his technocrat background. He has a PhD in economics and a stint as governor of the Bank of England, and Neill said economists are excited to have a prime minister who is ¡°talking the same language¡±.

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Higher education had spent the past few years preparing for a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre. Though there were some hopes that he could improve on Trudeau¡¯s patchy history of research funding, Poilievre had shown a Trumpian approach with his promises to ¡°defund wokeism and fight antisemitism¡±.

With Poilievre losing his seat in parliament, Neill said there will be a ¡°sigh of relief¡± that Canada has avoided making the same mistake as the US.

Marc Johnson, professor of biology at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, said most universities will see this election result as one that ¡°maximises predictability and stability in the funding landscape in the near-term¡±.

Facing a trade war, Carney¡¯s minority government is unlikely to launch any major new funding initiatives, but he can lay the groundwork to become an innovation powerhouse by investing in research and training, added Johnson.

Sarah Laframboise, executive director of Evidence for Democracy, a science policy non-profit, welcomed the Liberals¡¯ commitment to increase targeted mission-driven research funding, and its pledge to establish the Canadian Sovereignty and Resilience Research Fund to attract researchers affected by US policy changes.

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¡°This election provides an opportunity to rebuild Canada¡¯s leadership in science and research,¡± she added in a statement. ¡°The commitments made by the Liberal Party must now be met with urgent, concrete action.¡±

There was also little time during the snap election campaign to debate the international student caps which rocked the sector last year, introduced to assuage concerns over pressure on key services.

Neill said she hopes that Carney, who was once an international student himself, does not continue the ¡°blunt¡± caps policy and instead looks at ways to capitalise on the growing numbers of students and researchers put off by Trump¡¯s attacks on US colleges.

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¡°This is just shooting ourselves in the foot. It¡¯s particularly maddening we¡¯re doing it right now when the US appears intent on shooting its universities in the kneecap.¡±

Johnson said a ¡°huge question mark¡± remains around international students and the caps which have contributed to serious financial challenges at many top institutions.

¡°The Trudeau Liberals¡¯ decision on international students has placed huge fiscal strains on Canadian universities, but this topic is a political hot potato and it is difficult to know how the Carney Liberals will navigate this in a minority government,¡± he said.

Universities Canada said recent policy decisions have eroded trust in the country¡¯s sector, and that the new government must have a bold plan to win the race for global talent, address urgent campus infrastructure needs and to affirm its commitment to made-in-Canada research and innovation.

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¡°Canada¡¯s universities are all in, ready to roll up our sleeves to help unleash the country's full potential,¡± it said in a statement.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com