Blueprint?

Federal Act is a Blueprint for Federal-Provincial Co-operation

Canadian Federation of Students
Monday, February 05, 2007

OTTAWA--
The Canadian Federation of Students welcomes proposed legislation tabled by NDP Member of Parliament Denise Savoie calling on the federal government to set out a vision for post-secondary education. Increased federal funding and a Post-Secondary Education Act are crucial to improving the affordability and quality of post-secondary education in Canada. “Federal-provincial cooperation is critical to building a system of universities and colleges that are the best and most accessible in the world,” said Amanda Aziz, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “The timing of this Act comes at a convenient time for the Premiers to get on board with a national plan,” said Aziz, referring to the Council of the Federation conference call to be held on Wednesday.

A federal act would provide a framework under which the federal government and provincial governments can work together to achieve the highest standards of universal accessibility and world-class quality. Although post-secondary education is a provincial jurisdiction, the federal government plays a major role in both funding education and ensuring that Canadians have access to a high-quality system. Students and faculty have long called on the federal government to create legislation that addresses both accessibility and quality of higher education.

Tuition fees have more than tripled in the past fifteen years as a result of federal cuts to transfer payments to the provinces.“A joint strategy on improving higher education and skills training is something that should be at the top of the agenda for the Premiers,” added Aziz. “Like healthcare, public education is an issue bigger than egos and jurisdictional squabbles. We intend to drive that message home during the student demonstrations later this week.”