Nova Scotia Still Boasts Highest Tuition in Canada

For Immediate Release October 10, 2008

Stats Canada Results Disappointing to Students

(Halifax) – The Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations is disappointed that Nova Scotia continues to top the list as most expensive post secondary province in Canada. The Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA), which represents over 75% of Nova Scotia's university students is sounding the alarm bell that the financial burden on students is still too heavy.

Canada-wide tuition numbers released yesterday by Statistics Canada have reinforced students' worst fears about affordability of education in Nova Scotia. This academic year saw a freeze on tuition and a bursary for Nova Scotia Students. “Despite these measures, Nova Scotia remains the least affordable province in the nation. The government's goal of aligning tuition with the national average by 2010-2011 promises to be a significant challenge,” says Matt Risser, President of ANSSA.

Statistics Canada announced that the average undergraduate tuition fees for full-time Canadian students has risen to $4,724. The province of Nova Scotia is still, after tuition freeze and reductions, the most expensive province in the country with average undergraduate tuition fees costing out at $5,932.

The Memorandum of Understanding and bursary commitments were successful in addressing some of the issues plaguing our post secondary system. However, out of province students continue to pay significantly higher tuition fees, which averaged $6,200 in 2008/09. The gap between tuition paid by Nova Scotia students and out of province students plays a significant role in the disappointing Stats Canada results.

Nova Scotia is host to eleven universities and thirteen community colleges which boast high quality and innovative practices in education. ANSSA Executive Director, Kelly Wilson advocates that “investing in our resources requires long term commitment on behalf of our governments. An integral aspect of this investment involves a commitment to reduce tuition fees in Nova Scotia to the national average by 2010-2011 and eliminating differential tuition fees altogether. ANSSA looks forward to working with the province in realizing this goal.”

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