B.C. Liberals Break Promises to Students, Slash Support Programs in 2010 Budget
VICTORIA – Post-secondary students face a 28 per cent cut to student aid after the B.C. Liberals broke their election promises and axed funding in this week’s provincial budget, New Democrats said today. 
Dawn Black
“During the election, the B.C. Liberal government campaigned on the promise to protect funding for advanced education. Now they have backtracked, and are making deep cuts to student aid programs,” said New Democrat advanced education critic Dawn Black .
In this Tuesday’s budget, the Liberals slashed $31 million from Student Support Program Funding. Since the 2009 election, the government has cut funding for student aid 27.4 per cent.
“It’s not fair to students. They are being forced to pay for the B.C. Liberals’ election lie and the government’s lack of an economic plan,” said New Democrat advanced education deputy critic Michelle Mungall .
Michelle Mungall
“B.C. post-secondary institutions are experiencing significant enrolment increases because people want to prepare for the future economy where 75 per cent of jobs will require post-secondary education. We should be making smart investments now in our human capital to remain competitive in the global market and strengthen our economy.”
The student unemployment rate is currently at its highest in history. In addition, the cost of a post-secondary education is rising quickly. With the fewest student grants in Canada, many B.C. students are finding themselves without the financial means to attend University or College or to complete their programs.
“We need to provide students with incentive to stay in B.C. and help fill the jobs of tomorrow. By taking away student aid programs, the B.C. Liberals are making it that much harder for a young person to receive an education,” said Black.
“The well-being of this province depends on a healthy, educated workforce. But it seems the B.C. Liberals are unable to make that connection, given this latest round of cutbacks to post-secondary funding,” said Mungall.
Carole James and New Democrats believe that, in order to help drive the ideas and jobs of tomorrow, we must eliminate of barriers to post-secondary education and invest in research and development.
