Ontario students and staff vow to fight tuition fees in Ontario, condemn oppression of students in Québec

TORONTO, May 25, 2012 /CNW/ - Students and staff held a press conference this morning to condemn oppressive laws in Québec meant to stifle student protest, and to commit to building the movement in Ontario for the creation of an affordable, accessible and high quality system of post-secondary education.

"The best way we can show solidarity toward students in Quebec is to fight to reduce tuition fees and to defend quality public education in Ontario," said Sandy Hudson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students—Ontario. "Ontario's terrible record on post-secondary education cannot be the benchmark for Quebec, or anywhere else in Canada."

For 103 days, students in Quebec have been striking in opposition to a proposed 75 per cent tuition fee increase by the Charest government in Quebec. In Ontario, tuition fees have increased by as much as 71 per cent since 2006.

Last night, a broad group of student, faculty and community activists assembled at Ryerson and vowed to maintain actions to build a movement to oppose tuition fees in Ontario. "Minister Glen Murray has tried to avoid public scorn for his government's seventh consecutive tuition fee increase," said Hudson. Students and staff in Ontario are inspired by students in Québec and will show solidarity through actions, demonstrations and events across our province targeting our government."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university undergraduate and graduate students in all regions of the province.

Sandy Hudson, Ontario Chairperson: 416-722-8842 (mobile)
Nora Loreto, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator:
416-846-6672 (mobile) or com[email protected]