“This grant is just poorly thought out” says YFS exec
Hamid Adem
Staff Writer
The York Federation of Students (YFS) recently travelled to Ottawa to attend a national meeting held by the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS).
The meetings—which bring together student activists from across the country for twice-annual meetings where they discuss student issues and initiatives—brought up concerns surrounding the Liberal party’s campaign promise of a 30-per-cent tuition grant for students.
“Instead of a 30-per-cent tuition fee reduction, the Liberals have instead proposed a student grant that excludes two-thirds of all students,” says Alastair Woods of the YFS. “They aren’t tackling the real problems.”
When asked about what these exclusions to the grant program are, the vp of campaigns and advocacy said the restrictions to the grants are “quite broad.”
“International students, graduate students, part-time mature students, [and] students in professional programs wouldn’t be able to access it,” says Woods. “But they may make eligibility more accessible after receiving some fire from other parties.”
He feels the government should commit to their original promise of cutting 30 per cent instead of giving grants to a limited pool of student recipients.
“I’m a bit unsure why they chose this route to improve accessibility to students,” says Woods. “I’m not saying grants are a bad thing, but this grant is just poorly thought out. I have a fear that it’s going to turn out to be a very inefficient, costly and wasteful way.”
