Students apprehensive about future of post-secondary education

TORONTO, June 29, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario welcomes newly appointed Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), Merrilee Fullerton in her position.

Minister Fullerton will play a formative role in setting the direction of the Ministry over the next four years. In this position, Minister Fullerton will be responsible for overseeing colleges and universities, regulating funding for post-secondary institutions and administering financial aid for students.

"Students are apprehensive about the future of post-secondary education in Ontario," said Nour Alideeb, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "The direction the new leadership of MTCU chooses to take over the next few weeks will have major implications for students."

In the past, Minister Fullerton has made concerning statements regarding Muslim people, which gained widespread attention during her election campaign. These views are a cause of concern for students as she takes on her new role as the head of MTCU.

"Students in Ontario are a diverse community, made up of people from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds. As an elected official, Minister Fullerton must be held to a higher standard of conduct as a representative of the people," said Alideeb. "Moving forward, students will hold her accountable for discriminatory statements that do not promote the kind of equitable society we want to live in."

One of the longstanding campaigns of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the United for Equity campaign that seeks to challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and colonialism on our campuses and within our communities. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario represents over 350, 000 students across the province.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

For further information: Nour Alideeb, Chairperson: 4169253825 or [e-mail]