supports fairness, equality, and inclusion as some of its core values. The shift in Canada from publicly funded tuition fees to privately funded tuition fees has resulted in a significant increase in tuition fees for Canadian post secondary students. For example on average, Canadians post secondary fees have increased from $2,243 in 1990\1991 to a projected $6,842 in 2016/2017. Further, the debt load on Canadian students is over $28 billion nationally.
The NCA is concerned at the excessive burden being placed on post secondary students, and that Canadian universities are becoming less competitive compared to countries like Germany, Norway, and Finland, which have no tuition fees for both domestic and foreign students. Additionally, the NCA is concerned that the increase in tuition fees, despite various grants and other financial assistance, will discourage Canadian students from pursuing post secondary studies or pursue them in other countries with lower or no tuition fees. In addition, the brightest foreign students may more likely choose post secondary studies in countries with lower or no tuition fees. Furthermore, the NCA is concerned that the debt burden on post secondary students upon completing their degrees will delay their purchasing power, and thereby impact the overall economy.
The NCA believes that access to education should be a right based on merit. In addition, the NCA believes that the federal government should help ensure that Canadian universities maintain competitiveness so as to attract the brightest minds.
The NCA supports the following:
● Improve the competition between colleges and universities in Canada, in order to bring about a market driven reduction in tuition fees
● Review all federal subsidies to colleges and universities with the intent of reducing government interference in the marketplace
● Encourage the provinces to adopt a market-drive approach to colleges and universities
● Upon completion of degrees, both domestic and foreign students would be permitted each year to claim up to $3,000 of their total owing tuition fees as a tax deduction as long as the amount claimed has been paid back
● Work permits for foreign students would be increased from 2 years to 3 years in order to maintain competitiveness and encourage graduated foreign students to work in Canada
● Domestic students upon completion of their degrees would be permitted to interest free loans for 3 years until they find work
● Through a co-op program in the military for high school graduates award first year university rebate (Military Service Policy)
The NCA welcomes feedback on its policies. Please send policy feedback to info@nationalcitizensalliance.ca
