Inflamatory piece. The writer tells us that "with the vast majority of that money coming from provincial governments": no, these days the funding by the provinces is quickly approaching 50%, and has been declining for many years. She also tells us that "In the real world, almost no one is paid by their employer for not working": first, it is not obvious to me that the former president is "not working"; second, sabbaticals have been part of university life for centuries, so for a university professor to take a year off campus to work in her/his research is fairly common. 

It is easy to say that this or that money should not have been spent. But what's the final goal? To make universities disappear? If it isn't, and I seriously hope that the writer understands that education and research are pillars of societal growth, there will be a cost. One can fight for this or that expense. But if we seriously reduce university budgets, we will lose our scientists, and eventually the students.