TORONTO--Students were pleased to receive clarification from the Ontario government regarding the source of funding for post-secondary education campus infrastructure upgrades announced earlier this week. Without a dedicated federal transfer payment for post-secondary education, it is difficult to track the source of funding based on announcements and, in some instances, provincial investments appeared to have been paid for with federal dollars. In the past, students have expressed concern that two levels of government have taken credit for the same dollars, without a net benefit to students.

"There have been several occasions when it appeared that provincial funding announcements were actually a re-branding of federal allocations," said Jen Hassum Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario.

After issuing a media release calling on the Ontario government to ensure that the recent provincial infrastructure announcement would be funded by new dollars, the Federation received a response from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities confirming that this would be the case.

"Yesterday the Ministry provided a list of expenditures to students and gave an assurance that this week's announcement would go beyond any previous federal investments," said Hassum. "This is good news."

The Canadian Federation of Students' most recent submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance called on the Harper government to remove post-secondary education funding from the Canada Social Transfer and create an independent Canada Education and Training Transfer to ensure that there is dedicated funding for post-secondary education and training. Now Ontario students are asking the McGuinty government to support their recommendation that this 2006 federal election promise be fulfilled.

"Students continue to advocate for a dedicated federal funding mechanism that will improve transparency in multi-level funding arrangements," said Hassum. "In the meantime, we appreciate the forthcoming approach of the new Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and are hopeful that he will join our efforts to lobby the federal government."