Ontario Gov't lowers cap on university tuition increases

Brad Duguid, minister of training, colleges and universities

The Ontario government is lowering the amount by which universities and colleges can raise tuition fees each year. In an announcement, tuition hikes will be capped for the next four years at an average of three per cent annually, down from five per cent.

Fee increases for graduate and professional programs were dropped to five per cent from eight per cent. The news didn’t seem to satisfy either student advocates or representatives for colleges and universities.

In a statement , Brad Duguid, minister of training, colleges and universities, said the new fee structure strives to “ensure that students have access to higher education,” no matter their financial means.

“This new tuition policy strikes a balance,” said Duguid. “We are increasing fairness and affordability for students and their families while providing institutions with the long-term financial stability needed to provide a high-quality education for our students.”

However, the announcement met with immediate criticism from student groups.

“This is not a win for students,” said Canadian Federation of Students Ontario chairperson Sarah Jayne King. “Students are disappointed to see the government increase fees yet again. I find it very concerning that the government is presenting this as a savings for students.”

King’s group, which said it represents over 300,000 students provincewide, suggested a 30-per-cent reduction in tuitions over the next three years. Among all the provinces, tuition in Ontario is highest, an annual average of $7,180 for a university undergraduate program in 2012-13. (The national average is $5,581.)

The president of Carleton University, Roseann O’Reilly Runte, said the lack of provincial funding to institutions is one reason tuition is higher in Ontario than other provinces.

“I’m pleased the government is looking at this in a four-year time frame,” said Runte of the announcement. “Planning for the future is important for both students and the university.”

She said the university wasn’t sure whether there would be cuts to services at Carleton due to the tuition increase cap.

“I think the province and the university has done their best to keep post-secondary education affordable,” said Runte.

The president of the student association at Algonquin College, David Corson, voiced concern about the increasing debt students are accumulating to accommodate the rising fees.

“When you’re creating a debt economy, you’re strapping (the students) to a point where it’s not to anyone’s benefit, not the students and not their future employers,” said Corson. “You can increase the amount they can borrow, but this doesn’t increase their opportunities. Where does the money go? Back in the coffers. It doesn’t go to new labs, technology or services for the students.”

Corson also said this announcement didn’t leave the college much time to meet its deadline in two weeks to set tuition for upcoming semesters.

The Council for Ontario Universities pointed out that tuition accounts for 44 per cent of universities’ operating revenue on average, but also acknowledged the province’s deficit and goal of balancing interest. Runte admitted this is a hard time for both students and the province but that education should be a priority.

“Education is extremely important and one of the best investments (students) can make for their future,” she said.