Youth to party leaders: don't leave our generation behind

TORONTO, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Student and youth activists in Toronto dropped several banners across the city in advance of tonight's leaders debate to raise awareness of key issues impacting youth and students in this election.

"While parties continue to ignore important issues, students and youth are struggling to pay tuition fees and their bills and find work," said Alastair Woods, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "It's not surprising that students and young people are upset about the choices presented in this election."

Today's generation of young people could be the first to be worse off than their parents' generation. Compared to students 30 years ago, students today pay more than six times in tuition fees and graduate with record levels of student debt. Youth unemployment is almost three times higher than unemployment for Ontarians aged 45 to 64.

This election, none of the parties have committed to act on issues important to students and youth including: reducing tuition fees, ending illegal college and university fees, extending health care to international students, ending unpaid internships and improving access to public transit for students.

"Students and young people pay taxes and have bills. We have real responsibilities, priorities and challenges that shouldn't be dismissed because we are under 40," said Woods. "If politicians honestly care about young people - if they honestly care about this province - they must listen attentively to our concerns and address them."

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is encouraging the public to ask candidates and parties about their commitments to student and youth issues as part of the Generation Vote campaign.

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario is the largest student organization in the province, representing over 350,000 students in all areas of the province.

SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario

Kaley Kennedy, Communications Coordinator, 416-925-3825 or [email protected]