Thousands Take Action for Lower Tuition Fees

Canadian Federation of Students

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

From St. John's to Victoria, thousands of students and other Canadians are participating in rallies and events as part of the Canadian Federation of Students' campaign for affordable, high-quality post-secondary education.

"Education shouldn't be a debt sentence," said Amanda Aziz, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "We have terrific universities and colleges in Canada, and access to them shouldn't be determined by the size of your wallet."

Students from across Canada have been mobilizing all year to raise awareness about the effects of government under-funding. High tuition fees, deep student debt, unfair wages, and crumbling buildings are all undermining the post-secondary education system that Canadians' future standard of living hinges upon.

Since 1990, tuition fees have nearly tripled in most provinces as a result of federal funding cuts. Student debt has ballooned to nearly $20 billion as students, for the first generation in Canadian history, are saddled with mortgage-sized student loans.

Aziz concluded: "Students, their families, professors, support staff, and other voters are sending a message to governments today: reduce tuition fees!"

The Federation is an alliance of more than 80 university and college students' unions with a combined membership of over one-half million students. In October, the Canadian Federation of Students celebrated its 25th anniversary.

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Related site: ReduceTuitionFees.ca