Students and critics urge Ford government to reverse OSAP changes

Ontario students gathered at Queen’s Park on Friday to oppose changes to loan assistance and unfreezing tuition hikes they say could be the difference to someone’s future following post-secondary education.

The coalition was joined by a critic with the Ontario Liberals who called on the Ford government to reverse its new funding framework which includes more loans and less grants.

Premier Doug Ford defended his decision, adding he was there for students when he froze tuition hikes and that Ontario’s future workers should focus on getting jobs that are high in demand. However, that wasn’t received well today.

Piper Plavins, President of McMaster University Student’s Union said the recent shakeup to Ontario’s funding framework for post-secondary education will eventually lead to more drop outs and a bleaker future for young people.

“When tuition rises and grants shrink, students do not suddenly become wealthier,” said Plavins. “They borrow more, they work more hours and stretch themselves thin.”

Tyler Watt, Ontario Liberal Critic for Training, Colleges and Universities was at the rally, calling on the Ford government to reverse its recent changes to Ontario student assistance program and tuition freezes.

“Ontario still has the lowest based-funding per student in the entire country. This was a crisis that was created by this government,” Watt said.

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Starting in the fall, students applying for OSAP will see a decrease to the maximum amount of grants they can receive. Money that doesn’t need to be repaid will shrink from 85 per cent to 25 per cent

Loans reflect a reversal effect, a minimum of 75 per cent of a student’s funding.

“I’ve mentioned to students, you have to invest in your future, into in-demand jobs. Because of a lot of the students, I’m not one to say, but you know, you’re picking “basket-weaving courses” and there are not too many baskets being sold out there,” Ford said.

Ford made the comment after saying he had received complaints about the recent cuts, but has repeatedly defended the decision, saying that it’s to the benefit of the taxpayers and that he fought the good fight for students by cutting and freezing tuition in 2019.’

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario argues the province’s new funding model will not be able to meet the demands for future enrolments.

“About 225,000 new seats are going to be needed by 2046, of students that are interested to attend post-secondary education. But, this current funding announcement, is only making it efficient for about 70,000 new seats,” said Cyrielle Ngeleka, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. “By the time, we get to 2026, 2027, it doesn’t even reach half of that goal to properly fund any individual student.”

Meanwhile, the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario said many of their members and supporters plan to hold a rally at Queen’s Park on March 4th.

READ MORE: Students disappointed by Ontario’s cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift