College students feel the impact of the provincial deficit in the 2012 Ontario budget

TORONTO, March 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Given the economic state of Ontario, college students recognize the need to implement austerity measures to balance the budget and strengthen the economy. While this budget spared the post-secondary education sector from serious decreases, it falls short of the funding needed to address many issues facing college and college-university students. In order to further build Ontario's college sector, innovative ideas to improve access, quality, affordability, and transferability are of the utmost importance.

"Colleges today represent a diverse student demographic with different needs, and students need to be properly supported as they face challenges in their pursuit of a college education that did not exist in the past," replied Brian Costantini, President of the College Student Alliance (CSA). "I believe that addressing access, affordability, transferability and employment issues will provide the most value to students and help ensure a bright economic future for Ontario."

The 2012 Provincial Budget highlighted the continuation of the Ontario Tuition Grant and the Second Career Program. However, the Ontario Special Bursary Program, Ontario Work Study Program, studying-abroad scholarships, international recruitment, and four OSAP scholarships will be phased out. The recommendations made by the CSA to improve student employment opportunities, credit transfer, and early outreach initiatives were not reflected in the budget.

"An investment in education is the best way to create a strong economic future in Ontario while helping to alleviate the current economic burden," stated Jim Robeson, Director of Advocacy for the CSA. "As the budget overlooks many of the sector's needs, greater funding must be invested into students to help develop Ontario's intellectual capital and increase the productivity of the college sector."

Moving forward, the CSA looks forward to working with the provincial government to ensure the voices of college students across Ontario are heard. To view the CSA's Pre-budget Submission please visit our website at www.collegestudentalliance.ca.

The College Student Alliance (CSA) is an advocacy organization which has been proudly serving Ontario's college and college-university students since 1975. The CSA currently represents 16 colleges and 22 member councils with over 130,000 full-time student members throughout the province.

Brian Costantini                                                
President                                                          
College Student Alliance                                  
Tel: [phone] ext. 4226           
Cell: 289.214.8052               
Email: [email protected]
  
Jim Robeson
Director of Advocacy
College Student Alliance
Tel: [phone]
Cell: 416.951.0181
Email: [email protected]