A majority of Canadians believe tuition fees should be frozen or lowered, according to new poll

OTTAWA, May 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Nearly 80% of Canadians believe that tuition fees should be frozen at current levels or lowered, according to a new poll conducted by Harris-Decima for the Canadian Federation of Students.

"The cost of post-secondary education is out of control," said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "This poll indicates that Canadians believe in an affordable system of education that is accessible to all."

The poll reveals that even in Québec, where the government's proposal to increase tuition fees by 75% over five years is being met with a fierce student strike, nearly 60% of respondents believe tuition fees should not be increased.

"The Québec government should recognize the detrimental impact of increasing tuition fees on the accessible education system built in the province over decades," added Dubois. "The government should cancel the planned tuition fee hike and drop its plans for a "special law" that would undermine campus democracy."

The poll was conducted by Harris-Decima via teleVox between May 10 and May 14, 2012. National results are considered accurate within 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more that one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson, 613-232-7394, [email protected]