Canadian Association of University Teachers

 
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Students under pressure as tuition fee increases outpace inflation

(Ottawa, September 16, 2011) Statistics Canada reported that Canadian undergraduate tuition fees went up 4.3% for 2011/12 while inflation was up only 2.7% during the same period.

Newfoundland and Labrador had no increase (having kept fees frozen since 2003/4) and Ontario had the largest increase at 5.1%.

Tuition fees for Canadian undergraduate students are now at a national average of $5,366. International undergraduate students are charged an average of $17,571.

“Students are now confronted with higher tuition fees than ever before,” said Roxanne Dubois, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “Tuition fees are the main barrier to post-secondary education.”

According to the report, graduate students paid an average of $5,599 in tuition fees for the 2011/2012 academic year, up 3.7%

Tuition fees are currently the single largest expense for most college and university students, and are increasing more than any other cost faced by students and far faster than inflation.

A recent poll conducted by the Canadian Federation of Students and the Canadian Association of University Teachers found that 83% of Canadians support reducing or freezing tuition fees.

The CFS and CAUT have been calling for the adoption of a federal post-secondary education act that would establish guidelines for funds transferred to the provinces for post-secondary education, ensure accountability and create national standards for the quality and accessibility of Canada's universities and colleges.