Strong financial results position USask for future investment

SASKATOON, SK, Oct. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has reported strong financial results for the 2025-26 fiscal year, demonstrating financial resilience and creating new opportunities to invest in student success, research excellence, innovation, and economic growth.

USask concluded the year with an operating fund surplus of $10.9 million and a comprehensive surplus of $182.4 million across all units and subsidiaries. The results were supported by strong investment performance (extraordinary investment returns of 17.4 per cent), targeted provincial and external funding, and disciplined expense management.

"These results reflect the resilience of our institution and the disciplined stewardship demonstrated by leaders and teams across the university," said USask President and Vice-Chancellor Vince Bruni-Bossio. "While many universities are facing significant financial challenges, USask has remained focused on thoughtful, long-term financial planning. As a result, we have strengthened our financial position while continuing to invest in our mission and strategic priorities."

The positive results come during a period of significant uncertainty for the Canadian post-secondary sector, including declining international enrolment, rising costs, and broader economic pressures. Earlier financial projections identified the potential for an operating deficit without changes to spending patterns and increased funding certainty.

In response, USask carefully managed expenses, pursued alternative revenue opportunities, and worked closely with colleges and administrative units to strengthen the university's financial position. Combined with Saskatchewan's four-year funding agreement, which provides annual operating grant increases through 2030, those efforts have resulted in a structurally balanced operating budget and balanced projections through the end of the decade.

"Our operating budget is now structurally balanced, providing both stability and opportunity," said Deidre Henne, USask's chief financial officer. "That gives us the flexibility to invest strategically in the infrastructure, innovation, and talent needed to support our long-term goals."

A significant contributor to the university's results was investment income. While most investment returns are associated with restricted endowments, the unrestricted operating fund generated approximately $20 million above budget, creating additional capacity to advance priorities under UPlan 2035.

The university's strengthened financial position comes as USask pursues up to $250 million in new long-term financing from private capital providers (the "Financing"). The Financing has completed the provincial approval process and, if completed, will enable the university to invest in major strategic priorities without relying on unrestricted operating funds.

The Financing would support modernization of university-wide systems, renewal and expansion of learning environments, research and innovation infrastructure, and mission-aligned initiatives designed to generate long-term value and financial sustainability.

"This financing strategy reflects confidence in USask's future and our ability to responsibly invest in priorities that will benefit students, researchers, industry partners, and communities," said Henne. "Because we have strengthened our financial position, we can confidently move forward while remaining disciplined in our approach to long-term financial sustainability."

USask is uniquely positioned to capitalize on opportunities emerging in Saskatchewan, one of Canada's fastest-growing and resource-rich provinces. The university's research strengths align closely with areas of growing national and global importance, including food and water security, human, animal and environmental health, nuclear medicine, advanced materials, energy and agriculture.

The university is home to world-class research infrastructure and expertise that supports discovery, innovation, and economic development in areas critical to Saskatchewan's future and increasingly important to Canada's competitiveness. The university has emphasized the role Saskatchewan plays in developing local expertise that contributes to global solutions.

"USask is in the right province, with the right partnerships and infrastructure, at the right time," said Bruni-Bossio. "Many of the issues that matter most to Saskatchewan are also among the most pressing challenges facing Canada and the world. With a strong financial foundation, supportive donors and alumni, vital government and industry partnerships, and globally recognized research strengths, we are well positioned to help deliver the solutions that society needs."

As USask implements UPlan 2035, the university will continue to leverage its financial strength to invest in the people, spaces, systems, and research capabilities needed to create lasting impact. 

"Our positive results are more than a financial outcome," said Henne. "They demonstrate the resilience, confidence, and capacity of an institution that is prepared to invest in the future and help shape solutions for Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world."

This news release includes "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, expectations regarding future USask balanced operating budgets, USask's ability to advance or complete the goals of UPlan 2035 or other strategic priorities, whether the Financing will be completed and the amount of the Financing, the timing of the closing of the Financing and the anticipated use of the proceeds of the Financing and the benefits derived from those uses. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause USask's current objectives, strategies and intentions to change, and many of these factors are beyond USask's control and current expectations or knowledge. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are the Financing not being completed as planned, the competitive environment faced by post-secondary institutions attracting students and funding and labour relations risks. USask does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

SOURCE University of Saskatchewan

For more information, contact: Ashley Trask, USask Media Relations, [email protected], 306-966-4522