Nova Scotia Tuition Fees Highest in Atlantic Canada, Second Highest in
Country

HALIFAX , Oct. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Students in Nova Scotia continue to pay the highest tuition fees in Atlantic Canada and the second highest in the country according to the Statistics Canada Tuition Fee Report released today.

"After decades of paying the highest tuition fees in country this slight decrease for some students is too little too late," said Jake Byrne Nova Scotia National Executive Representative for the Canadian Federation of Students. "Having the second highest tuition fees in the country is hardly cause for celebration."

Despite the current tuition fee freeze, tuition fees in Nova Scotia average at almost $5,696 per year, $779 above the national average. The province boasted the highest fees in the country for two decades which has resulted in an average student debt of almost $30,000 . Nova Scotia is also one of only two provinces that charges out-of-province students higher fees.

Students in Newfoundland and Labrador continue to pay the second lowest tuition fees in the country, outside of Quebec . Tuition fees in that province have been frozen and reduced since 1999 are currently half of those in Nova Scotia. Fees in Ontario are the highest in the country at an average of $5,951 per year.

"It has been four months since this government took office and we still haven't seen a comprehensive plan to improve access to post-secondary education in Nova Scotia," said Byrne. "It's time for the government to make a real investment and reduce tuition fees for all students."

Students continue to collect signatures on a petition to reduce fees for all students, increase per-student funding to the national average and provide 50 per cent of every provincial student loan as a grant, to be presented to the Nova Scotia legislature.

Founded in 1981, the Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in ten provinces.

For further information: Jake Byrne, Nova Scotia National Executive Representative, Canadian Federation of Students, Rebecca Rose, Maritimes Organiser, Canadian Federation of Students, Phone: [phone]