Postsecondary Tuition Fees
March 16, 2010
Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2008, after consultation with postsecondary students and elected student representatives, the Premier and the government committed to capping tuition fee increases to the consumer price index, CPI, until 2016. In 2009 the Premier wrote to the council of university students.
My government continues to support initiatives contained in the Affordability Framework, including the Tuition Fee Policy. The Government of Alberta would not consider revising the Tuition Fee Policy without consulting with key stakeholders such as the student organizations that you represent.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Speaker, the Premier broke this promise just two months later and announced that universities and colleges could submit proposals to hike tuitions for professional faculties across this province. Currently tuition fees in Alberta are the third highest in Canada, and for many students the cost of postsecondary education is becoming unaffordable.
This creates a big problem for many Albertans. Students must work hard to get good grades and to make the most of the very important investment that Alberta’s taxpayers make in our education and advanced education systems. All educators must do their best to make sure that students are performing and that we truly do provide them with a world-class education.
The proposed increases create even more uncertainty for the families and students that have made financial sacrifices based on the government’s promise to cap tuition increases. Given that this government has introduced legislation to make Alberta more competitive, wouldn’t it make sense to look ahead and make the postsecondary system more competitive as well?
Mr. Speaker, we all know that a good postsecondary education will be key to the success of Alberta in an increasingly competitive global market. On behalf of students across this province I challenge the government to keep its promise and maintain the current tuition increases to the CPI until 2016 and allow all Albertans the opportunity for affordable and accessible postsecondary education.
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