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Good morning everybody.
My name is Jessica McCormick and I'm the Newfoundland and Labrador Chairperson
of the Canadian Federation of Students.
Today, college and university students from coast to coast
are participating in coordinated actions, rallies, and events
as part of a national day of action.
students are calling on their governments to stop the education debt sentence,
improve quality through more funding,
and remove the financial barriers that keep skills out of the hands of our country's youth.
It is my pleasure to say that Premier Dunderdale and Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills,
are here to join us on our day of action.
At a time when the economy continues to fluctuate and governments are tightening their belts,
it is important for students to continue to educate ourselves, society, and even politicians
that investing in education is an economic necessity.
If our economy relies on a highly-skilled workforce
and the health of our democracy rests on a critical and informed electorate
and the strength of our society depends on both,
then the importance of our education system should be obvious.
The economic, legal, and common sense imperatives
of ensuring the right to education for everyone are too important to disregard.
We know we can build support for this because student action in the province
has led to increased student grants, more core academic funding,
the elimination of interest on provincial student loans, and of course
tuition fee reductions followed by the long-standing freeze.
We know that when students come together, when students unite,
we create positive change.
[Applause]
Thank you Jessica, and thank you all so much for inviting us
to be part of this celebration today.
Minister Burke and I are very happy to be here.
It's been a while, you know, since I've been around this university
I drive by it every day and I used to come and pick my kids up.
But, I've got to tell you that… oh, I hate to say it.
It's almost 40 years ago since I was a student here.
And I loved every day of it.
I wouldn't have been able to come to university if I hadn't had support.
We've spent almost $139 million in freezing tuition.
[Applause]
$6 million just in this fiscal year to keep that tuition frozen.
Why, in our Blue Book, we've committed over the next four years to keep that tuition freeze.
[Applause]
And I couldn't agree with Jessica's statement more, that education is a right. It's not a privilege. It is a right.
[Applause]
And I hope that I'm around here long enough when we'll be able to see the day that everybody gets
not only to have their full primary, elementary and high school fully paid for by the state
but that you get at least, in my lifetime, your first degree fully paid for by the state.
[Applause, cheers]
the tuition freeze, we're keeping investing in this wonderful university here
and at Grenfell. We keep investing in the Marine Institute, the College of the North Atlantic.
That is an investment in Newfoundland and Labrador. When we invest in you, when we invest in these learning institutions.
And we're going to continue to do that. Because it's a priority for all of us.
That's an investment in Newfoundland and Labrador and an investment in our future.
Thank you so much for having me here today. And all the best.
[Applause]
Thank you Jessica. Good morning everyone. Let me be the first to say that I'm going to do another first degree.
[Laughter]
Thank you for including us in your activities today. And it's absolutely my pleasure to be here.
First of all let me say how pleased I am with the relationship between government and
the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Federation of Students.
You should be truly impressed with your student leadership.
They are dynamic, intelligent, and analytical when they represent your issues to government.
Education is all about you, the student.
And as the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, I understand the necessity of having open and frank discussions with you.
As Premier Dunderdale stated, tuition fees here and at the College of the North Atlantic are among the lowest in the country.
A Stats Canada report in September, 2010 showed that students in Newfoundland and Labrador have the most affordable
education in the country at almost half the national average.
[Applause]
I'll leave you with the words of Gabe Hoogers, the Nova Scotia National Executive Representative for
the Canadian Federation of Students, who stated just last week:
"we need only look to Newfoundland and Labrador to see that achieving a high quality"
"and accessible university system is a matter of priorities."
Thank you.
[Applause]
So, now that we have heard from the Premier and Minister Burke, students will eagerly await the
provincial budget and a response to this declaration.
So, consider this a take-home assignment.
In the coming weeks and months, as the government puts together its budget and throughout the remainder
of their mandate students expect to see firm commitments to continue the tuition fee freeze,
and to see our loans system eliminated and replaced with grants without any exceptions.
This declaration will be the first step in something bigger. By adopting principles and committing to make education a right
we can not only guarantee a better deal for our province’s youth but we can also take the important first steps towards building
a framework for a high quality, accessible public post-secondary education system
not only in Newfoundland and Labrador but across Canada.
[Applause]