Ahead of Budget 2026, the Canadian Federation of Students remains firm in calling on the Federal Government to prioritize post-secondary education and invest in the public good that it is.

Right now, students are navigating increasingly challenging times defined by compounding and simultaneous rising tuition costs, unaffordable housing, an unstable and weak job market, all against the backdrop of ongoing rising authoritarianism, global unrest and conflict, and genocide. Through lived experience and advocacy, students are all too aware of the inadequacies of the current post-secondary education system — underwhelming financial assistance, housing developments, and fiscal policies have left us feeling the squeeze.

“The future of the world lies in the hands of students who are, unfortunately, burdened by underfunding, unaffordability, and instability; to invest in education is more than an economic move, but one that positions Canada as a country that prioritizes its people and future”, Toby Lew, Deputy Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students.

The Federal Government has announced that the Budget 2026 will focus on building a more resilient economy and making life more affordable for us. We believe addressing student concerns sits at the nexus of both of these goals, but the reason for their pursuit cannot be purely measured by their projected economic output. The Federation continues to call on the government to:

• Make education affordable: Permanently increase the Canada Student Grant to $8,000, and work towards creating a dedicated federal Post-Secondary Education Transfer to eliminate tuition fees.
• Stabilize the post-secondary education sector: Establish a conditional fund for institutions hit by the study permit cap, and replace the cap with an ethical framework tied to housing capacity. Increase the Tri-Agency graduate funding to retain domestic research talent.
• Build student housing: Reverse planned housing cuts and redirect funding within Build Canada Homes to non-market, purpose-built student housing.
• Fund Indigenous learners: Clear the Post-Secondary Student Support Program backlog.
• Create pathways to work: Invest in paid apprenticeships, co-ops, and green-skills training, and make Canada Summer Jobs funding more reliable.

As the Liberal Party rightfully pointed out in 2019, "the costs of rent, books, and groceries – along with cuts to student aid by provincial Conservative governments – are putting an immense amount of financial pressure and stress on students”. Seven years later, these words still ring true, with the affordability crisis only worsening and provincial governments across party lines rolling back on student protections. As the oldest and largest federation of students in Canada, we will look closely at what this budget delivers, what it progresses on, and what it leaves out. 

“Students are already doing their part to build a better future, but they cannot do it alone while everyday costs keep rising. This budget is an opportunity for the federal government to turn its commitments into meaningful support. As a Federation, we will continue to bring students’ realities into these decisions and push for an education system that puts their needs and their future first", Mohammed Idrissi, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students.

Students have always been at the forefront of the fight for a better future, and that doesn’t change on budget day. Regardless of the outcome on budget day, our members will keep organizing and advocating for a brighter future where post-secondary education is treated as the public good it should be, accessible, affordable, and, eventually, free for everyone.