It is not acceptable to ask our post-secondary students to pay fee increases that are 154 times greater than the rate of inflation: Gerrard

 Winnipeg – Jon Gerrard, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party and MLA for River Heights today called on the Premier to immediately cancel proposed increases to continuing fees paid by graduate students at the University of Manitoba.  Gerrard noted that the proposed increases of 216% are 154 times the rate of inflation.

 “It is simply unacceptable that this NDP government continues to ask students to absorb massive increases in tuition and fees.  This government has dug Manitoba into a financial hole so deep that now they must prey on post-secondary students,” said Gerrard.

 Gerrard added that it is unreasonable to expect post-secondary students to work more than they already are while studying.  “There are only so many hours in the day for students to work and earn an income in combination with proper studying.  The NDP are not providing a suitable environment for advanced learning in Manitoba.”

 The MLA for River Heights also called on the Premier to revisit the NDP’s recent cuts to student aid due to the growing debt load of graduates.  “I have heard of many post-secondary students now graduating with student debt that will take 20 years to payoff.  That is unacceptable and clearly proves that this NDP government is anti-student.”

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 For more information, please contact: Michelle Nyhof, Communications Officer for Manitoba Liberal Caucus at (204) 771-2513 or michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca