TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Students across the province of Ontario are hosting a Day of Action to call attention to underfunded services that impact their access to post-secondary education. This Day of Action follows the national day of action in 2016 that successfully saw the implementation of the Ontario Student Grant (OSG), a grant system designed to cover a portion of student tuition fees to assist with skyrocketing costs. Despite changes to OSAP, many students still feel the impact of poorly funded public services.
The Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario is launching its newest campaign called "Fairness For Students" in order to educate members and the general public about how underfunded public services and the lack of a publicly funded post-secondary education system impact students. The Federation has worked with many coalition partners and campaigns to create a united front ahead of the 2018 provincial elections. This year the Federation is calling on the government to invest new money into developing public services that address issues such as housing, childcare, French-language education, reconciliation, transit and healthcare for students across the province.
Intersecting issues such as food insecurity, expensive transit fares, unaffordable housing and high tuition fees pile on and negatively impact the way students navigate post-secondary education thus making it difficult to succeed. By enhancing public services, students and the general public are able to gain access to post-secondary institutions as well as public services that are reflective of their needs and can be accessible without barriers. Creating affordable and safe living conditions for students, reducing and eliminating food insecurity on campus, creating a healthcare plan that is diverse and benefits both domestic and international students, outlining a transit plan that is affordable and user-friendly, and eliminating tuition fees for all students will elevate many of the barriers that are attached to accessing post-secondary education.
"Students do not live one-dimensional lives. We are workers, parents, commuters and tenants; we require adequate health care, a higher quality of education and food security. When we invest in public services and post-secondary education, we all win, " said Nour Alideeb, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario. "This campaign is about creating a greater consciousness about how all of our issues are connected. The solution is prioritizing and investing in what makes our society stronger: Public Services."
The Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario is the oldest and largest student organization in Ontario, representing more than 350,000 university and college students across the province.
SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario
Ian MCrae, Government Relations & Policy Coordinator, at 416-925-3825 or [email protected]; Nour Alideeb, Chairperson, at 416-925-3825 or [email protected]
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