Students hit the streets for upcoming by-elections in Toronto and London

TORONTO, July 24, 2013 /CNW/ - College and university students in Ontario are encouraging voters to make post-secondary education a priority in the five by-elections currently underway in the province. Students in London and Toronto are speaking to voters today and tomorrow and students in Ottawa and Windsor will be holding similar events next week.

"As we enter the eighth year in a row of tuition fee increases, students are frustrated that the government has not prioritized affordable college and university education," said Alastair Woods, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "We want voters to make informed choices about where candidates stand on reducing tuition fees, addressing record high levels of student debt and improving post-secondary education in the province."

In March, the Liberal government announced a new tuition fee framework that allows tuition fees to increase between three and five per cent every year for the next four years. Students in Ontario already pay the highest tuition fees in the country and government funding, per-student, is lower in Ontario than any other province.

According to a recent poll commissioned by the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario and conducted by Harris-Decima, 77 per cent of Ontarians support reducing tuition fees and 76 per cent would support implementing a 2 per cent surtax on incomes over $250,000 if it meant making education more affordable.

"We know students, their families and the broader public support more affordable and accessible post-secondary education," said Woods. "Students are reminding our communities to be vocal about that support when candidates show up on their doorsteps."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario represents over 300,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all regions of the province. The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest and oldest student organization.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Alastair Woods, Chairperson, 647-378-8942 or [email protected]

Kaley Kennedy, Communications Coordinator, 647-302-3891 or [email protected]