Return tuition freeze: Ashton

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This article was published 16/09/2009 (5894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steve Ashton returned to his alma mater Tuesday to say if he’s elected NDP leader he’ll bring back the controversial university and college tuition freeze for at least a two-year period.

The move put Ashton at odds with an earlier decision by the Doer government to raise fees this year, but it still allowed for him to raise his profile higher than the other two candidates for the second day in a row.

"As premier I would continue the tuition freeze until the 2011 end of our mandate," Ashton said at an outside event at the University of Manitoba. "We had one increase this year. We’ll return to that tuition freeze to make sure we have affordability for our students."

Last April, the Doer government ended its decade-long freeze on post-secondary education in response to rising teaching costs. It meant university students saw a 4.5 per cent increase in tuition per class this fall. Community college students ended up paying up to $100 more than they did last year.

University and college administrators welcomed the increase, but said the hike still falls far short of dealing with rising salaries, budget shortfalls, hard-hit pension funds and shrinking returns for endowment funds. The thaw followed the release of former deputy education minister Ben Levin’s report recommending the freeze be lifted. Levin found there is no connection between tuition and enrolment.

Ashton said when Advanced Education Minister Diane McGifford lifted the freeze, no decision was made on what the increase should be for the following year.

"As part of government you’re part of government’s decision, but I stood up at our convention and voted to keep the tuition freeze," Ashton said. "It’s a principle I’ve always supported. It’s not a criticism of a minister of the government. We’re talking about the future."

Ashton said he would back up a tuition freeze with increased funding, about $5 million to $6 million more than what’s spent now by government on post-secondary education.

He also said an Ashton-led government would:

"ö Set targets to increase enrolment of low-income Manitobans to post-secondary schools, including aboriginal people.

"ö Increase the high school graduation rate by 5,000 students, particularly on First Nations communities.

"ö Continue the annual increase to the minimum wage — which has risen each year since the NDP came into power in 1999 — so students who work part time can earn a proper salary.

"ö Strengthen adult learning.

Sid Rashid, president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Association, said he was pleased Ashton raised the issue of the high cost of getting an education.

"I think it’s awesome to see that education is being talked about," he said. "It’s on the political agenda for the leadership debate. Students are following the leadership race."

Ashton’s competitors didn’t have much to say about his tuition-freeze pledge, a promise made the day after his campaign manager and Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt boasted Ashton could win on the first ballot at the Oct. 17 leadership vote because they had sold so many memberships.

Andrew Swan said as a member of cabinet, the decision to raise tuition fees sticks to Ashton no matter what he says now.

"The tuition freeze was the right thing to do for 10 years," Swan said, adding it should not be repeated. "I appreciate universities and colleges have been under more and more pressure."

A spokesman for Greg Selinger said the former finance minister would have no comment as he plans to announce his own position on education and tuition fees soon.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca

 

In other camps:

Greg Selinger:

A high-profile aboriginal leader has endorsed Greg Selinger’s bid to be the next leader of the NDP.

Ovide Mercredi, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, threw his support behind Selinger because he said Selinger was the best choice to represent aboriginal issues as established by Premier Gary Doer, who steps down next month to become Canada’s ambassador to the United States.

"Of all the candidates who’ve declared I think Greg will be the one who maintains that relationship," Mercredi said.

Mercredi also said Selinger’s experience as finance minister will put the province in a good position in dealing with Ottawa on aboriginal issues.

"He’s still very much a person who understands what the needs are at the local level," Mercredi said.

Mercredi is chief of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. He served as Grand Chief of Assembly of First Nation from 1991 to 1997. He is also currently chancellor of University College of the North.

 

Andrew Swan:

NDP leadership hopeful Andrew Swan got another big boost Tuesday with an endorsement from Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh.

Swan’s leadership has already been endorsed by Health Minister Theresa Oswald, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers, Labour Minister Nancy Allan Justice Minister Dave Chomiak, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ron Lemieux and Education Minister Peter Bjornson.

Swan is Mackintosh’s former legislative assistant when Mackintosh was justice minister.

The two have worked together for about 20 years.

"Andrew not just asked me for my support, but my ideas as well," Mackintosh said. "That takes it to another level, I think."

Swan said endorsements only make up a small part of the leadership race.

"It’s about selling memberships," he said.