Students slighted by election timing

For Immediate Release May 6, 2009

(Halifax) – Nova Scotia students are tired of seeing their province repeatedly run elections at inopportune times. Post-secondary education is an important issue in this election, and now many of them cannot even vote in the election that determines their future. A summer election means that many students attending school in Nova Scotia from other provinces, or Nova Scotian students working outside the province, are less likely to vote.

“Nova Scotia has had the highest tuition in Canada for the last nine years on record,” said Emma Cullen, Chair of the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations (ANSSA). “We’ve seen some progress in the last few years, but we’re still very far away from where we need to be as a province.”

48.1% of Nova Scotian students graduate with debt, compared to the national average of 42%. Nova Scotia students pay more out-of-pocket for their education, as a percentage of income, than anybody else in North America.

Mark Coffin, Executive Director of ANSSA, says that an investment in higher education is an investment in the future of Nova Scotia. “Students want a government that thinks long term. When education costs are so high, we risk forcing our best and brightest out of province after graduation to places where they can earn better money to better pay off their debt.”

“In order for Nova Scotia to have more money for transportation, health care and other services, it needs sustainable economic growth. Growth will come from innovative Nova Scotians. We’re educating them here, but how can they afford to take the risk of starting a small business or being innovative when some have debt loads the size of mortgages?”

ANSSA is looking to party platforms for a commitment to conducting a comprehensive review of post-secondary education in Nova Scotia and a viable plan that ensures our higher education system is both accessible and affordable to all academically qualified Nova Scotians.

Ms. Cullen added, “ANSSA is aggressively pushing the higher education agenda this election with a visible media and grassroots campaign. It is important that our next government recognize the necessity of this important investment in the future of Nova Scotia.”

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