Saskatchewan NDP Demands Tuition Cuts Amid Rising Costs

The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) is advocating for a reduction in post-secondary tuition fees as new data reveals that students in the province face the highest tuition costs in Canada, excluding Atlantic Canada. At a news conference on Thursday, Tajinder Grewal, the NDP’s advanced education critic, highlighted a significant increase in tuition since Scott Moe took office as premier. According to data from Statistics Canada, the average tuition fee in Saskatchewan rose from $7,257 in the 2017-18 academic year to $9,863 for the current year, marking a 36 percent increase.

Grewal criticized Moe’s government for what he describes as a failure to invest in students’ futures, stating, “Instead of investing in our kids’ futures, Scott Moe’s government is saddling them with crushing debt.” The latest tuition hikes at local universities have exacerbated concerns about affordability. The University of Saskatchewan recently increased its tuition by 3.8 percent, while the University of Regina raised fees by four percent.

First-year student Kebron Giday at the University of Regina expressed frustration over the cumulative costs of attending university. “I pay for my tuition. I pay for everything else, it’s crazy,” Giday remarked. “Everything you would think would be free and comes with tuition … it’s not.” Fellow student Sarah Willson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the burden of living costs while trying to manage studies and part-time work. “As a student when you’re only working part-time, you can’t work a full-time job. That’s impossible,” she noted, adding that expenses like housing, groceries, and transportation quickly accumulate.

Government Funding and Impact on Students

Grewal attributed the rising tuition costs to what he described as chronic underfunding of post-secondary institutions by the Saskatchewan Party government. He pointed out that two decades ago, the province funded approximately 60 percent of universities’ operating budgets; currently, that figure is around 50 percent or lower. “Affordable tuition must be the bare minimum,” he stated. “That’s the best investment we can make.”

The tuition increases have led to adverse effects on student enrollment and course availability. With a decline in international students, universities are facing longer waitlists for classes, cuts to programs, and a reduction in research opportunities. Grewal warned that these tuition hikes are driving young people to pursue their education in other provinces, exacerbating existing shortages in critical sectors like health care and education.

In response to the rising costs, the NDP has initiated a petition advocating for lower tuition fees. Party members and volunteers are actively gathering signatures through door-to-door canvassing efforts.

The provincial government responded to the NDP’s claims, stating that universities are autonomous entities responsible for setting their own tuition and fee rates. Additionally, the government highlighted efforts to support students, including a 20 percent increase in the graduate retention program, a cap on tuition increases at four percent through a multi-year funding agreement, and over $113.4 million allocated in direct support through tax credits, grants, scholarships, and student aid programs.

As the debate continues, students like Giday and Willson remain concerned about the financial hurdles they face while pursuing their education. The impact of rising tuition and living costs on their academic journeys raises significant questions about the future accessibility of higher education in Saskatchewan.