Protest follows decision to scrap tuition program
Angry poems, chants and testimonials were all part of the Tuesday afternoon protest against the Progressive Conservative’s changes to the Free Tuition program.
“They want skilled labour but won’t make the investment, I can’t imagine a future for this damn province,” shouted student Al Cusack from the steps of the Legislative building. “Well give us a chance Higgs, let us show you what we can do. Invest in students, pay up, or this government is through.”
Trevor Holder, the minister responsible for post-secondary education says the changes are being put into place so students attending private institutions will now have access to more funding.
The decision to pull the program on April 9 has since been condemned by University of New Brunswick’s Student Union and Saint Thomas’ as well. They have both launched similar campaigns, publishing statements made by students who’ve been effected using the hashtags ‘#makesnocents’ and ‘#notfairatall’.
David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick and MLA of Fredericton South, was amongst the students.
“When the government treats people like numbers on spreadsheets, pain happens,” said Coon. “And what we have here is heartless, it’s heartless to cut the free tuition program.”
David Coon met with Trevor Holder, the minister responsible for post-secondary later that afternoon to discuss the issue.
Students are concerned with what’s next.
Jack Daigle, 19, comes from a low-income family where post-secondary education wouldn’t have explored without the Free Tuition Program (FTP). The program was brought to the province in 2016 for families like Daigle’s. He has been attending New Brunswick College of Craft and Design for the last two years, all the while benefitting from the program.
Daigle is concerned this may eliminate options for people that were once in his spot.
“It motivated kids like myself and plenty others that had really nothing going for them to actually pursue something better,” said Daigle. “Rather than just staying stagnant in an environment that just continues to produce kids that’ll have to endure poverty because their family can’t get education due to funding.”
Chanieca Gallant, 23 is currently in her first year of the bachelor of social work program at Saint Thomas University. To her the program meant more than just tuition.
Gallant falls into a category of students who require two degrees to practice her intended field of work. She says this will result in a greater student loan debt upon graduation.
“The government also cut the $1500 bursary for professional degree students during our unpaid practicums. This was money I was anticipating would help fund travel for placement and the cost of licensing upon graduation,” said Gallant. “And it’s not like we have any choice in the matter, we need a degree to get a job.”
The announcement of the changes to the program was shocking to many as it was only a little over three years old.
“Instantly stressed and honestly angry,” said Daigle. “Angry because they presented this program to actually help lower class people that are now about 2 years into their program and now they’re just taking it away.”
Daigle worries about what his plan will be for the upcoming academic year. He says he worries not only for himself, but for his family.
“I’m also stressed because this leaves me wondering what I’m going to do next year. I finally found something to take me out of the condition I was living in and put myself and my family in a better position,” said Daigle. “But now I don’t even know if I’m going to be able to continue because between tuition, living coasts and art supplies; I won’t be able to keep up.”
