Throne speech fails to outline tuition freeze

Legislature opens with a reminder of what the province has done right

Tessa Vanderhart, Staff

The Speech from the Throne officially opened the provincial legislature but gave little indication that the government includes post-secondary education among its top concerns.

Lt. Gov. John Harvard outlined the legislature’s priorities for the year, citing health care, a new energy partnership with Ontario, as well as commitments to rural and Northern Manitoba in his speech on Oct. 27.

He highlighted the accomplishments of Manitoba’s post-secondary system, namely the success of the College Expansion Initiative in recruiting enrolment by over one-third, as well as $100 million in capital investment from the province into infrastructure at all provincial universities.

“Manitoba’s success in the world economy depends on the development of our most important resource: the skills of our people,” said Harvard.

He touted partnerships — like the sharing of roles between the federal government and province in health care — as the best way to invest in education.

“Private sector pledges to support university capital have added to the province’s increased investment in advanced education. Our government will seek a similar pledge from the federal government, as part of a national strategy to boost productivity and promote economic inclusion. A new partnership will allow us to commit to additional multi-year funding for Manitoba colleges and universities, incorporating the principles of education excellence, affordability and access,” Harvard said.

Opposition advanced education critic Leanne Rowat said that the speech did not adequately discuss issues pertaining to post-secondary education in the province.

Rowat expressed concern that the tuition fee freeze was not mentioned in the speech, possibly a sign that last year’s funding crunch has been forgotten.

“This was an absolutely perfect time for the government to show some initiative, assure students that their education costs will remain stable,” she said. “There is an obvious lack of planning in this government.”

Rowat said that the NDP government is right to be proud of the increases in enrolment mentioned in the speech, but she would have liked to see a long-term plan from the provincial government.

“If the economy is booming, why are they not providing a plan?” asked Rowat.

She noted that 110,000 students left the province to pursue higher education last year. “Those people will not come back to Manitoba,” she said.

Matthew Gagne, the provincial CFS representative, was “happy” with the goals outlined by the speech, noting that northern, rural and Aboriginal students have been recognized as priorities, in addition to continued investment infrastructure and capital projects.

He also stressed the importance of accessibility, which he said can best be accomplished by maintaining the tuition fee freeze.

“It’s been a very popular project for the NDP government, but nothing was said,” said Gagne. “Now, students are not sure if it will continue. We’ll continue our efforts . . . . and [we] have been successful to have a freeze for this many years.”

Amanda Aziz, UMSU president, also expressed disappointment at the lack of clear plans to improve access or prevent a last-minute ancillary fee crunch next year.

“I think we would have like to have heard more from the government about their plans for students for this year — [particularly] this year, unlike other years, with the approval of significant increases in ancillary fees,” said Aziz.