No tuition grants, no research funding: McGuinty delivers double blow to Ontario graduate students

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Graduate students and university faculty now have to contend with an even smaller pool of research funding in Ontario. Students are disappointed that the Liberal government eliminated $42 million in research grants without any warning through the elimination of the Ontario Research Fund (ORF).

"The loss of this research funding is devastating for the academic community, especially for those who conduct research in the social sciences, arts and humanities," said Désirée Lamoureux, Chairperson of the Ontario Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students. "At a time where innovation can help improve Ontario's economy, government is cutting programs that are meant to boost economic growth."

These program cuts were announced immediately after the government launched a tuition fee grant that excludes all graduate students. Graduate students in Ontario pay the highest tuition fees in the country and have graduation rates as low as 34 per cent. Cutting research grants and reducing access to financial aid is a double-blow for thousands of graduate students.

"Graduate students were concerned when the Liberal government eliminated the Ministry of Research and Innovation," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Despite having not consulted with students or faculty, Dalton McGuinty has staged another attack on academic research through these cuts," she said.

The Ontario Graduate Caucus of the Canadian Federation of Students unites more than 50,000 graduate students in Ontario. The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario represents more than 300,000 college and university students attending public post-secondary institutions across the province.  

Désirée Lamoureux, Ontario Graduate Caucus Chairperson: 226-678-8703
Nora Loreto, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator: 416-925-3825 or 416-846-6672 (mobile)