Canadian Federation of Students

Federal budget makes new investments in grants and research funding, misses opportunity to support Indigenous learners

Moira Peters — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:58:21 +0000

HALIFAX – Students are pleased to see the Liberal budget making substantial investments in non-repayable grants for post-secondary students, youth jobs and public research, but are disheartened that there is no commitment of additional funding to Indigenous students through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP).

Students available to comment on 2016 Federal Budget

Moira Peters — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:36:42 +0000

MEDIA ADVISORY
For immediate release.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Students available to comment on 2016 Federal Budget

Students remain dissatisfied after Ministry roundtable on PSE

Editor — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:46:12 +0000

HALIFAX –Students remain concerned about the direction the NDP government is taking on postsecondary education in Nova Scotia after meeting with Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Marilyn More today. In response, students will be holding campus consultations to discuss students’ priorities for colleges and universities in Nova Scotia.

Student Vision for Post-Secondary Education in Nova Scotia

Hillary — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:39:44 +0000

In 2011 the Nova Scotia NDP government cut funding to universities by 4 percent and increased tuition fees by 3 percent. The Nova Scotia government doesn't seem to have a plan for post-secondary education in this province, but students do.

"Darrell Dexter, will you listen to us now?”

Hillary — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:21:34 +0000

Students Concerned Government Not Listening to Stakeholders

HALIFAX – This morning Halifax-area students participated in a flash mob outside of One Government Place while former Bank of Montreal Executive Vice-President Tim O’Neill presented his recommendations from the Report on the University System in Nova Scotia to the Nova Scotia legislative Standing Committee on Human Resources.

NDP Lift Tax Schemes from Conservative Playbook

CFSNS — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:48:02 +0000

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

HALIFAX – The tax credits unveiled today as part of the New Democratic Party platform will do very little to improve access to post-secondary education. The Conservatives announced a similar plan last week.

“High tuition fees have caused student debt to skyrocket in Nova Scotia. Students and their families need real relief, not a re-branded tax credit scheme,” said Kaley Kennedy, Nova Scotia National Executive Representative of the Canadian Federation of Students.

The proposed program will increase the current graduate tax credit, from a $2,000 one-time non-refundable tax credit, to a $2,500 annually credit available for up to six years. The proposal is estimated by the NDP to cost about $6.5 million, an amount that could reduce tuition fees by $200 or nearly double the province’s needs-based grants program.

According to the Maritimes Provinces Higher Education Commission, only one per cent of graduates cite access to tax credits as a reason for staying in the province, while the vast majority cite financial reasons for why they leave the province after graduation. The 2009/2010 budget tabled by Finance Minister Jamie Muir on May 4 extended the period for which the graduate tax credit could be claimed because the program was under-used by graduates.

“In the past, the NDP has advocated for lower tuition fees,” continued Kennedy, “It’s very disappointing that they’ve chosen to focus on tax credits which are proven to be ineffective in reducing student debt and curbing the out-migration of youth,”

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The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation. It is composed of over 80 university and college students’ associations in all ten provinces with a combined membership of over one-half million students.

For more information, please contact:
Kaley Kennedy
Nova Scotia National Executive Representative
Canadian Federation of Students
Office – (902) 425-4237