Trying economic times demand educated solutions: Ontario students answer the call

    TORONTO, Nov. 17 /CNW/ - Today representatives from the Ontario
Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) arrive at Queen's Park in an effort to
support the province as it faces the challenges of a shifting economy. The
students will meet with Ministers and Members of Provincial Parliament to
highlight the importance of post-secondary education as the fundamental
building block of a prosperous society.
    Ontario students will endeavor to strengthen the higher education system
through improvements to student financial aid, advancements in Ontario's
post-secondary education funding model and reductions to poverty by broadening
access and participation. If Ontario wants to be a global leader in learning,
OUSA's recommendations are imperative to achieving that goal.
    "A better educated, highly skilled workforce is essential to the health
of Ontario's economy," said Trevor Mayoh, President of the Ontario
Undergraduate Student Alliance. "To have the best and most adaptable workforce
we need to ensure that every willing and qualified student is able to attend
post-secondary education without financial or other barriers."
    As the Reaching Higher Plan for post-secondary education enters its final
phase, it is important that the objectives set out in the $6.2 billion
investment, made by the provincial government, remain at the top of Ontario's
priority list. The goals of improved access, quality and infrastructure laid
out in Reaching Higher are as relevant today as they were three years ago.

    Some of the recommendations students will present include:

    -   Maintain the full Ontario Student Opportunities Grant (OSOG) debt
        ceiling which limits undergraduate student debt at $7000 per year

    -   Abolish the education tax credits and redirect those resources to a
        system of upfront grants, as promised in the 2007 Liberal platform

    -   Work together at the provincial and federal levels to implement an
        interest free, one year grace period

    "University students recognize that Ontario needs to balance competing
priorities in these difficult economic times," said Howie Bender, Executive
Director of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. "A brighter future for
Ontario's economy depends on higher education and we are providing the
government with educated solutions that are necessary, reasonable, and
important for students in the province."

    OUSA represents the interests of more than 140,000 professional and
undergraduate, full- and part-time university students at seven institutions
across the province.

For further information: Tammy McQueen, Communications Director of OUSA,
(416) 341-9948; To arrange an interview with Trevor Mayoh, President of OUSA
or Howie Bender, Executive Director of OUSA contact: Tammy McQueen,
Communications Director of OUSA, (416) 341-9948