NDP and Jack Layton Call for Tuition Freeze For College and University

The NDP plan has been praised on college and university campuses.

As Election Day draws closer, Canada’s candidates are reaching out to college and university campuses.

After the Liberals promised to make education more affordable last week, The NDP unveiled their education platform on Monday.

The NDP election platform for education includes:

• An $800 million increase in federal funding for post-secondary education
• A dedicated post-secondary education transfer payment, contingent on provinces freezing tuition
• An additional $200 million in student grants

The plan has been praised on college and university campuses, with student groups calling it a step in the right direction.

“The NDP platform provides meaningful commitments to increase the affordability of post-secondary education,” said David Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students.

“With tuition fees at record high levels, Canada needs such a national vision for higher education.”

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) echoed those statements, but claim Canada’s students still need more funding.

“CASA is calling for a dedicated transfer on post-secondary education, and it is good to see the NDP committing to just that,” said Zach Dayler, National Director of CASA. “However, $800 million represents current funding levels, and will likely not be sufficient to address the rising costs of education in Canada.”