STUDENTS SUPPORT McFADYEN’S VISION

It’s time for Manitoba to renew its post-secondary education system: McFadyen

November 5, 2009

Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen says the NDP’s tuition freeze is a failed policy that effectively subsidized millionaires while hurting our universities and colleges.

Standing with a group of students from the University of Manitoba, McFadyen said he agrees that education is a powerful tool to reduce poverty, but there are better ways to ensure access for low-income families.

“Our colleges and universities are falling behind those in other provinces. The Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg in particular are facing huge infrastructure deficits,” McFadyen said, noting the presidents from both have recently confirmed as much.  “Overcrowded classrooms, programming cuts, and professors leaving for better opportunities are damaging our post secondary institutions.

 “We want our colleges and universities to be competitive, to attract and retain bright students from around the country and to provide a world-class education for everyone,” McFadyen added.

McFadyen said direct financial support to students, like bursaries, is the best approach to enhance participation for low-income students.