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'We’re glad the government listened:' Post-secondary students applaud federal budget

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Post-secondary students in Calgary are applauding Tuesday’s federal budget, saying it finally feels like they’re being listened to by the government. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s first budget is also being celebrated by university leaders for its major investment in infrastructure, research, summer jobs and student grants.

“This is a very good news budget,” said Elizabeth Cannon, president of the University of Calgary. “We’re very pleased and it’s going to make a tangible difference in ensuring that Canada can build talent into the future.”

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The budget strives to keep debt loads manageable and make post-secondary education more affordable.

“We’re glad the government listened to students,” said Erik Queenan, president of the Students’ Association at Mount Royal University.

“In some ways the government has gone above what we asked for.”

The government is making post-secondary education more affordable for thousands of students by increasing Canada Student Grants by 50 per cent to $3,000 from $2,000 per year for low-income students.

Students from middle-income families will see the amount rise to $1,200 from $800, and it will jump to $1,800 from $1,200 for part-time students.

“Upfront grants and bursaries to students provides the students the support they need at the time it’s needed,” Queenan said.

University of Calgary student union president Levi Nilson said students have long advocated for an increase to Canada Student Grants — money students don’t have to pay back in a program they’re automatically assessed for if they qualify for a Canada Student Loan.  

“It’s pretty amazing to see with the increase to the grant program and current freeze in tuition in Alberta, the next year of school is going to be more affordable than the last year. It’s the first time we’ve seen that,” he said. 

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“It’s something we’ve asked for an increase in for awhile.”

Levi Nilson, University of Calgary’s Student Union president, said the federal budget means tuition may actually be more affordable next year than this year.
Levi Nilson, University of Calgary’s Student Union president, said the federal budget means tuition may actually be more affordable next year than this year. Photo by Crystal Schick Crystal Schick /Calgary Herald

The loan repayment threshold will also be increased nearly $5,000 more than the previous amount of $20,210. That means students won’t have to repay their Canada Student Loan until they’re earning at least $25,000 annually. 

The government also plans to support young Canadians by doubling the size of the Canada Summer Jobs program and enhancing the Youth Employment Strategy.

All of those measures will make a tangible difference for students, said Brigitte Matheson, president of the SAIT Students’ Association.

“We’re really excited about the money going into the loans. That definitely helps decrease the financial stress and burden on students,” she said. 

On top of supporting students, the budget puts money into the facilities where they learn — $95 million per year will go to granting councils, marking the highest annual funding increase for discovery research in more than a decade.  

The government has also designated $2 billion over three years for a new Post‑Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund that will support up to 50 per cent of the eligible costs of infrastructure projects at post-secondary schools.

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Cannon said that $2 billion fund will be transformative.

“We know, particularly in Calgary where there’s challenges in people having jobs, maintaining jobs, people want to go back to school. We just don’t have the space to increase our capacity, so being able to build new buildings and address deferred maintenance is very important to us,” she said. 

In a statement, Duane Anderson, vice-president of administrative services at Mount Royal University, welcomed the budget.

“The new federal budget makes education more affordable for students who need a break, levels the playing field for financial assistance and offers more opportunity for graduates to get on their feet before having to pay back student loans,” the statement said. 

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