College and university students welcome Ontario's new government

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2011 /CNW/ - The College Student Alliance (CSA) and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) congratulate the Ontario Liberal Party on their re-election and encourage them to quickly deliver on their commitments to students. College and university students are looking forward to working with all of the newly elected Members of Provincial Parliament to build a stronger post-secondary education system in Ontario.

"The provincial election highlighted the importance of post-secondary education to Ontarians. Students were pleased to see our priorities and proposals addressed throughout the campaign, and now we look forward to seeing these develop," said Sean Madden, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).

Premier McGuinty proposed a number of positive changes for students, the most important of which is the introduction of a new tuition grant for this coming January. The grant will reduce tuition for full-time dependent college and undergraduate students with family incomes under $160,000 by 30% of average fees. The party also promised to keep the cap on student debt frozen, extend interest relief for graduates who work in the not-for-profit sector, fund 60,000 new spaces and build three new undergraduate campuses. Students also anticipate that the government will continue its implementation of the Putting Students First plan for post-secondary education which contains many important student priorities.

"Post-secondary education is a central piece of the engine that will continue to drive the economy, and students are confident that the newly elected government will continue to put a high priority on the needs of students," said Brian Costantini, President of the College Student Alliance (CSA). He adds, "College and university student leaders worked tirelessly to ensure that students were informed and participated in the election through the It's Your Vote campaign, and these leaders must also be congratulated for a job well done."

Both CSA and OUSA are eager to work with all MPPs in the development and implementation their proposed initiatives, which address issues of quality, accessibility, transferability and affordability for students.

The College Student Alliance and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance represent over 280,000 college and university students at 34 student associations in communities across Ontario.

For further information:

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Alvin Tedjo
Director of Communications
Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance
416-341-9948
[e-mail]

Jim Robeson
Director of Advocacy
College Student Alliance
416-340-1212
[e-mail]