QUEEN’S PARK — MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, released the following statement in response to the government’s post-secondary education announcement:
“I support help for students struggling with high tuition rates. But I oppose efforts by the Ontario government to use a 10% cut in tuition fees as an excuse for cuts to student aid and college and university budgets.
The big story here is not the tuition drop, it’s the erosion of supports for students with the highest needs.
The government is making financial assistance less accessible. This hurts students, especially students from families with modest and middle incomes.
The government’s plan cuts university and college budgets by $450 million. This could mean a deterioration in the quality of education students receive. It will mean an increase in precarious work, part-time and contract faculty.
I am also very concerned about the changes to allow opting out of student fees – this leaves the door open to cuts in services for students. It also reduces capacity for student representation and advocacy.
Ontario must make high-quality, post-secondary education more accessible and affordable for all Ontarians, especially those from families with modest and middle incomes. Ford’s changes move Ontario in the opposite direction.”