Funding post-secondary education

Monday this week I met with a large group of students who came to the legislature to talk about the rising costs of post-secondary education in Manitoba.

The reality is that with tuition fees for international students rising dramatically, with the big increases in tuition for law students which have occurred and with the substantial increases in ancillary fees, the NDP policy of having a so-called tuition freeze is a sham.

Among the group at the legislature were many international students who are facing large increases in tuition fees. The international students who come to study in Manitoba contribute to our province in many ways. Quite a number will stay and contribute to the life and the economy of our province. Those who do not stay will develop relationships which will later be important for tourism and trade for Manitoba. And while they are here, international students greatly enrich the student environment at our post-secondary institutions. Having international students is a part of living in a global society.

I heard first hand stories from international students who are facing very difficult choices as a result of the increases in tuition fees. Many are being helped or supported by family in countries where they are less well off than here and they can not afford these increases. They are now having to consider dropping out of university. It is a tough position to be in.

I believe there is a better way to manage tuition fees and to support universities than the NDP approach and we are working hard to develop that better way and to present it to students when the next election comes.