Media Advisory - National Chairperson Bilan Arte Available to Comment on Today's 3 Major Post-Secondary Announcements

OTTAWA, April 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Students are available to comment on post-secondary related announcements today and their impact on students across the country including the decision of the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to reintroduce student loans and cut institutional funding; the decision by the government of New Brunswick to increase grants for low-income students and families; and the decision of the Supreme Court recognizing the federal government's responsibility to support Métis and non-status First Nations people including their right to access social programs such as the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, has announced in its budget, plans to reintroduce student loans and cut funding to Memorial University by $14 million, effectively ending the tuition fee freeze for students.
• The Government of New Brunswick, has announced in its budget, plans to introduce a new Tuition Access Bursary that will cover the cost of tuition fees for students whose family income is less than $60,000.
• The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled unanimously that the federal government has a constitutional responsibility to Métis and non-status First Nations people, including in the delivery of social programs and services such as the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP). The PSSSP fund has a long standing restrictive 2% federal funding cap that restricts thousands of Indigenous students funding for college and university education.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than 650,000 students. The Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students

Sarah McCue, Communications Coordinator, 613-232-7394 or [email protected]