Local students had a chance to have their say Monday on the province’s changes to tuition, student loans and student fees.
The Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) held an open forum at the Orillia campus to bring students up to speed on the changes and gather feedback.
Among LUSU’s concerns are the elimination of free tuition for students from low-income families and giving students the ability to opt out of paying certain ancillary fees.
Brandon Rhéal Amyot, LUSU Orillia’s campaigns commissioner, described the latter as “quite concerning.”
“What could potentially happen … is students picking and choosing whether they support student unions with funds,” Amyot said, noting less money for certain services could hurt a union’s bottom line and its ability to offer other services.
Nicolette Hawco, a Lakehead Orillia graduate, attended Monday’s event to share her experiences and concerns.
As a student, there were times she unexpectedly needed the services her fees were funding. The transit pass came in handy when her car broke down. She also took advantage of the health plan when the need arose.
“It’s important, as students, to think about not just where you’re at right now,” Hawco said, adding, “Life happens.”
Vicki Monague, a political science student at Lakehead, noted her education is free since she is an Indigenous student. That isn’t stopping the Beausoleil Island First Nation resident from getting behind the students’ cause.
Monague said the students should draw inspiration from the movement that led the province to back away from a controversial section of Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. Section 10 would have given municipalities the ability to ignore certain environmental acts in the name of development. Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government has announced it will not proceed with Section 10.
“That was a very strong movement that generated a lot of support quickly,” Monague said, suggesting students and student unions fight the tuition changes with the same vigour.
LUSU fielded only a few questions Monday evening, as the winter storm seemed to deter some students from attending.
The questions and concerns that were raised will be presented to Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop. LUSU Orillia vice-president Theresa VandeBurgt will be meeting with Dunlop on Wednesday.
“I’m hoping to find out what she thinks about the changes and to bring student feedback to her,” VandeBurgt said.
Monague, who said she is “concerned about how (Dunlop) is supporting Doug Ford,” urged VandeBurgt to ask Dunlop to make a public statement on her position following the meeting.
Students who were unable to attend Monday’s forum are invited to send their questions and comments to [email protected] [email protected].
LUSU representatives will be taking part in a "We Are the Students" rally Monday at Meridian Place in Barrie. The rally, which was originally set to take place Thursday, is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
