The B.C. New Democratic Party’s commitment to restore student grants and freeze tuition is welcomed by student advocates, though they say it doesn’t go far enough.
“It’s a mixed review for students,” said Shamus Reid, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia.
“We are encouraged that some of the investments are going to make education more affordable,” he said. “But a four-year freeze on tuition fees is nowhere near enough.”
The major post-secondary commitments released in yesterday’s NDP platform include:
Freeze tuition rates and provide a rebate to institutions for lower tuition revenues
Restore needs-based student grants
Cut interest rates on student loans
At yesterday’s release of the platform, NDP leader Carole James said she hoped to have the legislation in place that would allow for the tuition freeze to begin next January.
The CFS-BC welcomes the return of the grants programs and the freeze, Reid said, but was hoping for a reduction in tuition.
“We’re worried that by just freezing tuition fees that it’s signing off onto the Gordon Campbell tuition fee increases,” he said.
“I think we were surprised given that the (NDP) Opposition has opposed these tuition hikes over the past eight years.”
According to the CFS, tuition fees have doubled since the B.C. Liberals took power in 2001.
Reid said he was encouraged by the Green Party of BC platform, which calls for a 20 per cent decrease of tuition fees over four years to be offset with an increase in government grants to institutions to make up for reduced tuition revenue.
“Hopefully that’s going to put some pressure on the other parties,” he said.
Students are now anticipating the post-secondary election promises from the B.C. Liberals.
“There’s a bit of a higher responsibility for the Liberals to reverse the damage they have created,” Reid said.
The CFS-BC is a non-partisan student organization that represents 150,000 college and university students across the province.
The group is trying to mobilize the student vote for the May 12 election through its Vote Education campaign.
Garrett Zehr reports for The Hook.
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Frank
3 years ago
What the..
"Students are now anticipating the post-secondary election promises from the B.C. Liberals."
Why bother? After BC Rail is it possible there's still people that believe the Liberals will keep promises they make?
rodneymcname44
3 years ago
I'm excited about these changes
Well, to honest, I'm quite excited about these changes. For them to re-apply student grants is a great idea. Freezing the tuition rates, and even dropping them would also be a good idea, to a certain extent.
Overall, I think it will work out best for everyone.
Dan the socialist
3 years ago
All post secondary
All post secondary regardless of age should be free.
DJT
3 years ago
"After BC Rail is it
"After BC Rail is it possible there's still people that believe the Liberals will keep promises they make"?
Did anyone with any intelligence EVER believe anything the Liberals have said?
DPL
3 years ago
Bringing back grants would
Bringing back grants would be a great thing. My spouse went back to university and got two degrees, while our kids were still in school. Without grants, on my wages she simply could not afford to go. She started earning bigger dollars, and paid increased taxes duing the rest of her years in her chosen career. The government got a productive employee, and the taxes helped pay for their programs. Win win for all. Our grand kids paid their way through university but it was a tough grind as grants disappeared, student loans loomed, and tuition kept going up. Yes in some countries tuition is free but don't hold your collective breath on that item. Good policy . King Gordo rambled on about BC being the best educated but he didn't get around to funding the kids going into higher education. Big talk Gordo but that sort of talk means nothing
Van Isle
3 years ago
It seems that the Liberals
It seems that the Liberals and Conservatives forget who paid for their education when they were in their 20's; it was the tax payer. Now that they're all fat and sassy they have to behave stingy to the younger generation. I remember my old man use to say back in the 60's that for every dollar spent on post-secondary education multiply by 10 and that's what the government will get back in taxes. If the general population is better educated, the country is wealthier. On that note I think we should be looking harder on how the Scandinavians educate their people and apply the same principles here. I read an article a number of years ago by the Conference Board of Canada on how our whole system is falling apart and we better do something quick. To date both the Federal and Provincal Governments have done diddly-squat on the whole issue.