NDP
challenges Dalton to deliver on $1.82B benchmark
QUEEN'S PARK - NDP Leader
Howard Hampton welcomed the Hon. Bob Rae's
report on the future of
post-secondary education as a call to improve
Ontario's beleaguered college
and university system.
"Here's the
$1.82-billion question: Will Dalton McGuinty deliver and
make
Ontario an education leader?
Or will he disappoint and let our proud
postsecondary system be
reduced into an education laggard?" Hampton
said.
"That's the litmus test
for Dalton McGuinty's commitment to improving
post-secondary education in
the province of Ontario."
Today, Rae released his
long-awaited postsecondary review. He called on
the McGuinty government to
make higher education a greater priority by
making a substantial increase
in provincial investment - at least $1.82
billion a year. That includes
$1.3 billion in new base funding to
colleges
and universities, a
$300-million overhaul of student assistance
programs,
$200 million for building and
facility upgrades and $20 million for
francophone programs.
Hampton called on McGuinty to
outline his plan to meet Rae's
$1.82-billion
benchmark.
"Investing in the
education of our people is the most important
investment
we can make, especially after
eight years of Conservative cuts," Hampton
said. "I challenge
Dalton McGuinty to release his plan to meet Mr. Rae's
funding benchmark and ensure
a quality, accessible and affordable
education for every deserving
student."
The NDP Leader vowed to fight
any move by the McGuinty government to hurt
students by raising or further deregulating tuition fees or by
introducing income-contingent
loan repayment.
"No ordinary Ontario
student should be sentenced to a lifetime of debt
to get a college diploma or
university degree," Hampton said. "New Democrats
will hold Dalton McGuinty
accountable for the promises he made to
students. We'll fight for lower tuition and higher funding to make
sure every deserving student
can afford a high-quality post-secondary education
in Ontario."
