OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, March 24, 2022 /CNW/ – Heather McPherson, a member of the New Democratic Party, introduced legislation today that responds to long-standing pleas from students, workers, and post-secondary activists for a much-needed government plan for publicly supported post-secondary education.
Canada relies on universities and colleges for education, training, research, and innovation as a country. The epidemic has demonstrated the need of continuing to invest in education and research in order for our country to rise to the occasion when faced with challenges. However, this critical infrastructure can only be relied upon if it is adequately supported, and if all students with the necessary skills and abilities can afford to participate. The post-secondary education sector has seen employment layoffs, programme losses, and considerable increases in tuition prices as a result of recent government cuts and chronic underfunding. Both the epidemic and underfunding have worsened staff cutbacks, unstable labour, outsourcing, and workplace concerns.