TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Yesterday at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario, over 100 student representatives from 30 students' unions met with Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Brad Duguid to discuss reducing tuition fees and improving the quality of Ontario colleges and universities.
"Ontario students are facing a system in crisis; they pay the highest fees in the country, government funding is lower than in any other province and student debt has hit record levels," said Alastair Woods, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students from Windsor to Thunder Bay were vocal about the need for the government to change direction on post-secondary education by reducing tuition fees and investing in colleges and universities."
This September, Ontario students will see tuition fee increases for the eighth year in a row. In March, the government announced a new tuition fee framework that empowers colleges and universities to increase tuition fees between three and five per cent for domestic students. The framework continues the government's policy of allowing international student tuition fees to increase at unlimited rates.
Students have been calling for a 30 per cent reduction to be implemented over three years. The proposal presented to the government included a cost-neutral plan to reduce tuition fees by 17 per cent in September, and a number of revenue-generating options that would have funded additional reductions.
"Students have reasonable solutions to ensure high quality college and university education is accessible to all Ontarians," said Woods. "I hope the Minister will listen to what he heard and start prioritizing the needs of students and youth in Ontario."
The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario represents more than 300,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all regions of the province.
Image with caption: "Yesterday at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario, over 100 student representatives from 30 students' unions met with Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Brad Duguid to discuss reducing tuition fees and improving the quality of Ontario colleges and universities. (CNW Group/Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130816_C6414_PHOTO_EN_29905.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario
Alastair Woods, Chairperson: 647-378-8942 (cell)
Kaley Kennedy, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator: 902-293-9683 (cell)
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