Tuition Fee Report Underscores Need for National Leadership
Fees rise despite federal funding increases

Canadian Federation of Students

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Tuition fees and student debt are on the rise again, highlighting the need for national legislation to ensure the quality and affordability of post-secondary education, says the Canadian Federation of Students. According to new data published today by Statistics Canada, average undergraduate tuition fees increased by 3.6% in fall 2008 despite $800 million in new federal funding to the provinces for post-secondary education.

"In the absence of a Post-Secondary Education Act, the federal government's latest education investment has had no impact for most Canadian students," said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Canadians deserve to see a benefit from these federal investments, but without legislation similar to the Health Act, federal post-secondary education funding is going to waste."

Health care-another shared jurisdiction-is partially funded by the federal government and guided by the Canada Health Act, which provides a clear vision for the program.

The Canadian Federation of Students has been calling for a Post-Secondary Education Act that establishes guidelines for funds transferred to the provinces for post-secondary education. Federal legislation could provide clarity and ensure that families derive a benefit from new federal spending in the area of post-secondary education.

"As the economy continues to slow down, higher education and re-training will be critical to minimising the impact on low- and middle-income families," said Giroux-Bougard. "Canada's economic health depends on affordable post-secondary education."

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation. It is composed of over 80 university and college students' associations with a combined membership of over one half million students.

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Related site: The Daily: University Tuition Fees 2008/2009