Ontario's tuition costs among 'least affordable' in Canada - report
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS
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Study highlights provincial tuition fee disparities
OTTAWA (Sept.ember 11, 2012) - Growing disparities between provincial tuition fee rates are leading to significant differences in public post-secondary education access across Canada, according to a report released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
"Without national standards for public post-secondary education, provinces are free to set tuition fee rates at whatever levels they see fit," said Adam Awad, national chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Canada needs national standards for access, enforced by a post-secondary education act similar to the Canada Health Act."
According to the report- Eduflation and the Cost of Learning - it is now three times more affordable for a student from a median-income family to study in Newfoundland and Labrador than it is for that same student to study in Ontario.
By 2015-16, education in Newfoundland and Labrador will be four times more affordable.
Tuition fee increases have far outpaced the rate of inflation since 1990 in most provinces.
Although inflation averaged only 2.1 percent per year between 1990 and 2011, tuition and ancillary fees increased on average 6.9 percent per year during the same period, largely due to cuts in public funding.
"As the cost of post-secondary education continues to rise, it limits the ability for middle-income and lower-income families to contribute to the economy and save for retirement," added Awad.
The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organization, uniting more that one-half million students in all 10 provinces.
The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
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Justin Tetreault 9/11/2012 1:09:00 PM ReportMisleading statistics as usual from the CFS. To lump in 1990-2011 is crazy given it encompasses 3 different governments, including the Harris/PC years where the huge government cutbacks occurred.
Upon taking office in 2003, the McGuinty government FROZE tuition fees for 2 years. Since then, annual increases for tuition are capped at 5% annually.
Also, the Liberal government has drastically increased funding for post-secondary education in Ontario, including its $6.2 billion investment under the government's Reaching Higher Plan.
geterdun 9/11/2012 2:36:33 PM Reporthey Justin,if you were a parent and I doubt you are from your post you would know different......The cost of a college education in Canada is to much for most now. You either go in debt to the banks for 40 some thousand dollars or you just become a statistic like you said.....Education in Ontario and Canada is now only for the rich, not the middle or poor class.....Yes the goverment has spent millions of dollars on schools for what ???the student enrolment in Ontario is declining??go figure??You can not cover up the facts my friend...nice try though...if you want an education in Ontario just forget it and move........Canada's PC party and the libs have only one thing on their minds taking away your rights to collectively negotiate a raise with your employer. raising taxes,ruining the enviroment,and last but not least making their rich friends richer....sorry about your thoughts but you can not deny the facts or the truths.....
Justin Tetreault 9/11/2012 3:11:40 PM Report"Yes the goverment has spent millions of dollars on schools for what ???the student enrolment in Ontario is declining??"
There are 200,000 more students attending colleges, universities or learning a trade since 2002-03.
40% of 18 to 24 year olds are in college or university today compared to 35% in 2002-2003.
The number of graduate students at Ontario universities has increased by 57% since 2002-03.
University/College enrollment is increasing, not declining. Thanks in large part to the investments made by the government.
