THUNDER BAY – Guest Editorial – Things are not looking good for students these days. Tuition fees are higher than they have ever been, and the average student graduates with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. It‘s almost as though there were never recognition in Canada that access to education should be [is] a priority.
Most Canadians believe that education is a top policy issue for the country – up there with health care and jobs. In the last century, we recognised that education was important for the health of our society and economy. We made public primary and secondary education a right, and ensured that all children could go to school in a fully government-funded system.
The problem with high fees is that it doesn’t matter how much money you or your family has, everyone is charged the same. And since that amount is always increasing, a lot of people are no longer able to pursue their education, specifically because they can’t front the money for the chance at a better and more fulfilling life.
In an increasingly tough and competitive job market, a post-secondary education is key to landing decent, well-paying, and stable jobs – and isn’t that what we want for the next generation of Canadians?
I believe that everyone should have the right to pursue their education if they are qualified and want to study. It is time for the government to recognise the importance of universal education and to fund it properly in Canada.
The Lakehead University Student Union will be joining in a rally to protect and defend public education on February 1 in the Lakehead Agora. I encourage you to join us there at 2pm to tell politicians to come to their senses and fund education properly. It can only help the Canadian economy and future generations of Canadians.
Michael Snoddon,
President, Lakehead University Student Union