In over 175 meetings on Parliament Hill, students press for a federal vision
for post-secondary education

OTTAWA, Oct 8 /CNW/ - Student representatives from across Canada met with more than 175 Members of Parliament and Senators this week to call on the federal government to set a national vision for a high-quality and affordable system of post-secondary education.

"Students came to Ottawa this week with one message: the federal government needs to do more to ensure Canadians have access to a high-quality system of post-secondary education," said David Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Our country needs a national vision for post-secondary education."

This past Monday, October 4, the Canadian Federation of Students released Public Education for the Public Good: a National Vision for Canada's Post-Secondary Education System. The policy paper was presented to Members of Parliament and Senators including the Chair of the Conservative Party's Post-Secondary Education Caucus Rod Bruinooge, Leader of the Official Opposition Michael Ignatieff, and Leader of the New Democratic Party Jack Layton. The main recommendation of the paper is the adoption of a post-secondary education act that sets out a national vision for higher education.

"From coast to coast students are working together to improve the affordability and quality of Canada's colleges and universities," added Molenhuis. "We hope that the government and opposition can come together and work with us to make sure that no one is shut out of Canada's post-secondary education system."

Public Education for the Public Good is available for download at www.cfs-fcee.ca/publiceducation.pdf.

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

For further information:

David Molenhuis, National Chairperson, 613-232-7394