Media Release

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2006

NDP Launch Campaign to Cut the Fees for Post-Secondary Education

NDP Opposition Leader Darrell Dexter (a podium) and Dr. Leonard Preyra, MLA (NDP) for Halifax-Citadel and Education Critic, unveiled a new web site (cutthefees.ca) at a news conference held on campus this morning.

Opposition Leader Darrell Dexter today launched a new NDP campaign to cut the fees for Nova Scotia post-secondary students.

He made the announcement on campus this morning with Dr. Leonard Preyra, MLA (NDP) for Halifax-Citadel and Education Critic. Dr. Preyra is also a professor of political science at Saint Mary’s.

Dr. J. Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s, also attended this morning’s news conference. As well, Zach Churchill, President of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) and Vice Chair of the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA) and Emeka Chinabu, VP of External Affairs, SMUSA, also were present at the event that attracted a number of students and members of the mass media.

“Nova Scotia has become the least affordable place in North America to get a post-secondary education,” said Dexter. “That trend can be changed for the better, very soon.”

Dexter has launched a web site (www.cutthefees.ca) so that students and their families can show their support for quick action to lower tuition fees.

“There is $14 million coming to the province from Ottawa within a matter of weeks — and every penny of this should be used to reduce the cost of post-secondary education,” he said. “Tuition fees need to be cut, and we need to establish a system of needs-based grants in Nova Scotia.”

In response to the NDP’s call, Churchill said student students at SMU are urging the NS government to create a ‘made in Nova Scotia’ plan to address the issue of accessibility to post-secondary education in the province.

“I agree that our provincial government must address the issue of accessibility in this province,” said Churchill. “But, students in this province can’t afford to wait for aid while the province and federal government continue to hash out their differences. We have seen this ‘wait and see’ approach for far too long; waiting around for the feds to do something. It’s time our provincial government to step up and reinvest in our own post-secondary education system.”

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca