For National Student Day of Action, Ontario students call on McGuinty to keep his promise to reduce tuition fees
TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario students are mobilizing to demand that Dalton McGuinty keep his election promise to reduce tuition fees. "McGuinty's tuition grant is not what he promised during the election. Students need this great investment in post-secondary education to be applied to an actual tuition fee reduction for all Ontario students," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario.
Below is a list of the events happening in Ontario for the National Student Day of Action.
BARRIE: 9:30 AM Board buses at Georgian College outside the University Partnership Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
GUELPH: 2:00 PM Rally at the University of Guelph, University Centre courtyard.
HAMILTON: 11:00 Rally at McMaster University, Mills Plaza (between Mills Library and the McMaster University Student Centre).
KINGSTON: 10:30 AM Rally at Queen's University Athletics Recreation Centre.
LONDON: 8:30 AM Board buses at Grad Club, Middlesex College at the University of Western Ontario. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
MISSISSAUGA: 10:00 AM Rally at the Student Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto-St. George Campus at 1:00 PM.
NORTH YORK: 10:00 AM Rally at York University's Vari Hall. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
ORILLIA: 10:00 AM Board buses at the Lakehead University campus. 10:30 AM Board buses at the Georgian College campus.
OTTAWA: NOON at Morrisett Terrace, University of Ottawa. March to reach Parliament Hill at 12:30.
PETERBOROUGH: 1:00 PM Rally at City Hall followed by march to MPP Jeff Leal's Office.
SAULT-STE MARIE: NOON Rally at Algoma University, The Speak Easy.
SCARBOROUGH: 10:00 AM Rally at Student Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto-St. George Campus at 1:00 PM.
ST. CATHERINES: 9:30; NOON; 4:30 PM Three general assemblies will be held at Brock University in the Lobby of Schmon Tower.
SUDBURY: 7:30 AM Board buses at the Laurentian University bus loop to go to the University of Toronto.
TORONTO: 10:00 AM Rallies at Ryerson University on Gould St. and at Sidney Smith Hall, University of Toronto. Converge at Convocation Hall at 1:00 PM. March through Toronto to Queen's Park.
THUNDER BAY: 3:00 PM Lakehead University at The Agora.
WINDSOR: 11:30 AM University of Windsor, rally at Chrysler Tower.
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's oldest and largest students' union uniting more than 600,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all ten provinces.
Below is a list of the events happening in Ontario for the National Student Day of Action.
BARRIE: 9:30 AM Board buses at Georgian College outside the University Partnership Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
GUELPH: 2:00 PM Rally at the University of Guelph, University Centre courtyard.
HAMILTON: 11:00 Rally at McMaster University, Mills Plaza (between Mills Library and the McMaster University Student Centre).
KINGSTON: 10:30 AM Rally at Queen's University Athletics Recreation Centre.
LONDON: 8:30 AM Board buses at Grad Club, Middlesex College at the University of Western Ontario. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
MISSISSAUGA: 10:00 AM Rally at the Student Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto-St. George Campus at 1:00 PM.
NORTH YORK: 10:00 AM Rally at York University's Vari Hall. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto at 1:00 PM.
ORILLIA: 10:00 AM Board buses at the Lakehead University campus. 10:30 AM Board buses at the Georgian College campus.
OTTAWA: NOON at Morrisett Terrace, University of Ottawa. March to reach Parliament Hill at 12:30.
PETERBOROUGH: 1:00 PM Rally at City Hall followed by march to MPP Jeff Leal's Office.
SAULT-STE MARIE: NOON Rally at Algoma University, The Speak Easy.
SCARBOROUGH: 10:00 AM Rally at Student Centre. Converge at Convocation Hall, University of Toronto-St. George Campus at 1:00 PM.
ST. CATHERINES: 9:30; NOON; 4:30 PM Three general assemblies will be held at Brock University in the Lobby of Schmon Tower.
SUDBURY: 7:30 AM Board buses at the Laurentian University bus loop to go to the University of Toronto.
TORONTO: 10:00 AM Rallies at Ryerson University on Gould St. and at Sidney Smith Hall, University of Toronto. Converge at Convocation Hall at 1:00 PM. March through Toronto to Queen's Park.
THUNDER BAY: 3:00 PM Lakehead University at The Agora.
WINDSOR: 11:30 AM University of Windsor, rally at Chrysler Tower.
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's oldest and largest students' union uniting more than 600,000 college, undergraduate and graduate students in all ten provinces.
Students to take action across the country today for accessible education
OTTAWA, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Thousands of students and community members will be participating in rallies and events across the country today to demand a national strategy for post-secondary education in Canada.
"Chronic underfunding of our education system is preventing thousands of people from accessing education," said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is time for the federal government to decide if it is going to do something to allow the next generation of students to get through the door of universities and colleges."
What: National Student Day of Action across the country
When: Wednesday, February 1 at 12:15
Where: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Other locations: St John's (NL), Halifax (NS), Toronto (ON), Winnipeg (MB), Regina (SK), and in over thirty communities across the country
For details of every event by region, see http://educationisaright.ca/en/section/2
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
"Chronic underfunding of our education system is preventing thousands of people from accessing education," said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is time for the federal government to decide if it is going to do something to allow the next generation of students to get through the door of universities and colleges."
What: National Student Day of Action across the country
When: Wednesday, February 1 at 12:15
Where: Parliament Hill, Ottawa
Other locations: St John's (NL), Halifax (NS), Toronto (ON), Winnipeg (MB), Regina (SK), and in over thirty communities across the country
For details of every event by region, see http://educationisaright.ca/en/section/2
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
UWindsor students demand tuition fee reduction for all students
WINDSOR, ON, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - At 11:30am on Wednesday, February 1, Windsor students and their allies will march to protest high tuition fees and post-secondary education underfunding. Students will gather in front of Chrysler Hall Tower on Sunset Drive before taking to the streets for their Day of Action. With recent announcements of serious cuts to grants and scholarships in Ontario to pay for the Liberal 30 percent tuition fee rebate, many feel this is the perfect time to fight back.
"Universities have been underfunded since the 1990s," says Vajo Stajic, the Education and Advocacy Coordinator for the Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) and a Labour Studies student. "We need to pressure both the provincial and federal governments to make education a priority. Students can no longer stand by and let tuition fees rise. Post-secondary education needs to be accessible for all."
Only 34 percent of university and college students are eligible for the tuition fee rebate. The Ontario government has since announced more cuts to other grants and scholarships leaving many students without funding.
"Part-time students are just one group of many who are ineligible for this grant," says Stajic. "Many part-time students are from lower-income families and work multiple jobs just to get by. To exclude them from the grant is hurting those who are most in need."
"Not only are graduate student ineligible for the Liberal grant, but $44 million dollars have been cut in research funding," says Ahmed Abou Gharib, a graduate student at the University of Windsor in engineering. "Students who had been working hard on applications for months just got a phone call one day to tell them their funding had been cancelled. This is a huge blow to many projects at UWindsor."
"International students pay about three to four times more tuition fees than domestic students," says Tapas Biswas, an international student, taking Engineering at the University of Windsor. "Students are calling on the Ontario government to turn their rebate into a 13 percent across-the-board tuition fee cut for all students. This way, those who are most in need can receive the funding to attend university and contribute to the Canadian society."
In addition to part-time, graduate and international students, those excluded from the grant include mature students, students in second-entry programs (i.e. law, medicine, or education), students on academic probation (regardless of the reasons), students whose parents make over $160 000 a year (no matter how much support the student receives from them), out of province students and those who have been out of high school for four or more years.
The February 1, Day of Action is a national event which will see thousands of students across Canada take to the street to demand affordable, high-quality, accessible post-secondary education.
"Universities have been underfunded since the 1990s," says Vajo Stajic, the Education and Advocacy Coordinator for the Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) and a Labour Studies student. "We need to pressure both the provincial and federal governments to make education a priority. Students can no longer stand by and let tuition fees rise. Post-secondary education needs to be accessible for all."
Only 34 percent of university and college students are eligible for the tuition fee rebate. The Ontario government has since announced more cuts to other grants and scholarships leaving many students without funding.
"Part-time students are just one group of many who are ineligible for this grant," says Stajic. "Many part-time students are from lower-income families and work multiple jobs just to get by. To exclude them from the grant is hurting those who are most in need."
"Not only are graduate student ineligible for the Liberal grant, but $44 million dollars have been cut in research funding," says Ahmed Abou Gharib, a graduate student at the University of Windsor in engineering. "Students who had been working hard on applications for months just got a phone call one day to tell them their funding had been cancelled. This is a huge blow to many projects at UWindsor."
"International students pay about three to four times more tuition fees than domestic students," says Tapas Biswas, an international student, taking Engineering at the University of Windsor. "Students are calling on the Ontario government to turn their rebate into a 13 percent across-the-board tuition fee cut for all students. This way, those who are most in need can receive the funding to attend university and contribute to the Canadian society."
In addition to part-time, graduate and international students, those excluded from the grant include mature students, students in second-entry programs (i.e. law, medicine, or education), students on academic probation (regardless of the reasons), students whose parents make over $160 000 a year (no matter how much support the student receives from them), out of province students and those who have been out of high school for four or more years.
The February 1, Day of Action is a national event which will see thousands of students across Canada take to the street to demand affordable, high-quality, accessible post-secondary education.
Students hold rally for accessible education
REGINA, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Students at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada will be joining students across the country in a National Day of Action to demand that the federal government take responsibility for funding post-secondary education.
"Saskatchewan students' message to the federal government is loud and clear," said Haanim Nur, Saskatchewan Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is time to increase education funding, reduce tuition fees, and finally lift the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program."
Over the past two decades students have seen tuition fees increase by almost 200%, more than the cost of food, transportation, rent, books, or inflation. Approximately one-third of students in Saskatchewan have to take on debt in order attend university or college. The average public debt that students take on in Saskatchewan is $19,000.
Due to the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, this year alone in Saskatchewan one-third of students that applied for funding were turned down.
"The costs of post-secondary education have been downloaded onto the backs of students and their families for far too long," said Nur. "It's time for the federal government to step up to the plate, fund education adequately, and invest in Canada's future."
Students and community members will march starting at 11:30am at the Dr. William Riddell Centre at the University of Regina. A rally will take place at noon outside the First Nations University of Canada.
The Canadian Federation of Students represents students at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan and more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
"Saskatchewan students' message to the federal government is loud and clear," said Haanim Nur, Saskatchewan Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "It is time to increase education funding, reduce tuition fees, and finally lift the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program."
Over the past two decades students have seen tuition fees increase by almost 200%, more than the cost of food, transportation, rent, books, or inflation. Approximately one-third of students in Saskatchewan have to take on debt in order attend university or college. The average public debt that students take on in Saskatchewan is $19,000.
Due to the 2% cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, this year alone in Saskatchewan one-third of students that applied for funding were turned down.
"The costs of post-secondary education have been downloaded onto the backs of students and their families for far too long," said Nur. "It's time for the federal government to step up to the plate, fund education adequately, and invest in Canada's future."
Students and community members will march starting at 11:30am at the Dr. William Riddell Centre at the University of Regina. A rally will take place at noon outside the First Nations University of Canada.
The Canadian Federation of Students represents students at the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan and more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
Students to Dalton McGuinty: Keep your election promise. Reduce tuition fees
TORONTO, Jan. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Representatives of students, professors and high school teachers held a press conference this morning at Queen's Park to call on the Ontario government to make college and university education more affordable for all students. Tens of thousands of students across Canada are expected to participate in the National Student Day of Action in dozens of cities and towns across Canada.
"Students were told that a vote for Dalton McGuinty would be a vote for lower tuition fees. Unfortunately, this promise has turned into a tuition grant for a few, leaving more than two-thirds of students with no help, and thousands with less financial assistance than they currently have," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students, staff and faculty are united in their call for lower tuition fees, reduced student debt and increased funding," she added.
Today's press conference outlined students' plans for tomorrow's National Day of Action, the first one held in five years. This year, national student debt nearly reached $15 billion and current policies will enable this amount to climb. Events will be held in cities across Ontario and a list of events can be seen here.
"Students and their families feel betrayed by Dalton McGuinty's misleading election promise," said Hudson. "We look forward to working with the government to make sure this promise is kept and all students get relief."
The Canadian Federation of Students unites more than 600,000 college and university undergraduate and graduate students in all ten provinces.
"Students were told that a vote for Dalton McGuinty would be a vote for lower tuition fees. Unfortunately, this promise has turned into a tuition grant for a few, leaving more than two-thirds of students with no help, and thousands with less financial assistance than they currently have," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students, staff and faculty are united in their call for lower tuition fees, reduced student debt and increased funding," she added.
Today's press conference outlined students' plans for tomorrow's National Day of Action, the first one held in five years. This year, national student debt nearly reached $15 billion and current policies will enable this amount to climb. Events will be held in cities across Ontario and a list of events can be seen here.
"Students and their families feel betrayed by Dalton McGuinty's misleading election promise," said Hudson. "We look forward to working with the government to make sure this promise is kept and all students get relief."
The Canadian Federation of Students unites more than 600,000 college and university undergraduate and graduate students in all ten provinces.
Laurentian U students camping out
SUDBURY, ON, Jan. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Students at Laurentian University will begin a three day, on-campus camp out on Monday, January 30 to protest the rising cost of post-secondary education and to bring attention to a National Day of Student Action to be held on Wednesday, February 1.
The "Freezing to Drop Tuition Fees" camp out is designed to draw attention to the chronic underfunding of post-secondary education that has left Ontario students out in the cold. Students are concerned that the Liberal tuition grant implemented this January excludes two-thirds of all students. In December, students submitted more than 40,000 petitions calling on the Liberals to convert the grant into a real tuition fee reduction.
WHAT: Three day camp out to protest the rising cost of post-secondary education.
WHERE: On the lawn outside of the Classroom building at Laurentian University
WHEN: January 30 to February 1, 2012; Launch on January 30
TIME: 10:00AM
The "Freezing to Drop Tuition Fees" camp out is designed to draw attention to the chronic underfunding of post-secondary education that has left Ontario students out in the cold. Students are concerned that the Liberal tuition grant implemented this January excludes two-thirds of all students. In December, students submitted more than 40,000 petitions calling on the Liberals to convert the grant into a real tuition fee reduction.
WHAT: Three day camp out to protest the rising cost of post-secondary education.
WHERE: On the lawn outside of the Classroom building at Laurentian University
WHEN: January 30 to February 1, 2012; Launch on January 30
TIME: 10:00AM
All Out Feb 1st! | À la Rue 1er Fév!
Get Involved! Feb 1 2012 National Day of Action
Moneyville Article: Students ask: Where’s my promised tuition cut?
A Liberal election promise to slash college and university tuition fees by 30 per cent is full of holes and unanswered questions.