Students in Ottawa to call on government for increased access to post-secondary education

OTTAWA, Oct. 24, 2011 /CNW/ - Students from across Canada are in Ottawa this week to present to government their vision for post-secondary education: a fully accessible, high quality and public post-secondary education system in Canada.

"The federal government needs to recognize its responsibility in ensuring a basic level of access to post-secondary education in every province," said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Skyrocketing tuition fees and record high levels of student debt are symptoms of a bigger problem: Canada lacks a national vision for post-secondary education."

Students are outlining their recommendations in an updated policy paper released today for the Canadian Federation of Students' lobby week. The paper, Public Education for the Public Good, demonstrates that investments in post-secondary education, support for Aboriginal students, graduate research, and reducing tuition fees are essential to Canada's future economic success. The main recommendation of the paper is the adoption of a post-secondary education act that sets out a national vision for higher education.

"With record-high tuition fees and student debt, the government is increasing roadblocks for today's youth and students," added Dubois. "The country can no longer afford to download out-of-control costs onto the backs of students."

The document is available for download at www.cfs-fcee.ca.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927. 

For further information:

Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson, 613-816-7486