BC BUDGET 2024 DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR A POST-SECONDARY SYSTEM IN CRISIS

VICTORIA, BC/UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE LEKWUNGEN PEOPLES, AND THE SONGHEES, ESQUIMALT, AND WSANEC FIRST NATIONS 

VANCOUVER/UNCEDED TERRITORIES OF THE MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH, AND TSLEIL-WAUTUTH FIRST NATIONS 

BC students were disappointed to see a lack of investment in the post-secondary system in BC Budget 2024.

Due to decades of government underfunding, post-secondary institutions have relied on exploiting international students through sky-high tuition fees to balance institutional budgets. 

As post-secondary institutions face extreme financial uncertainty due to declining tuition revenue from the federal cap on international students and provincial mandates to balance their budgets, the provincial government has not announced a backstop or increased funding for post-secondary institutions, leaving institutions to make cuts and increase tuition to make up the difference. 

Government funding made up 90% of post-secondary budgets in 1979, but makes up just 33-36% today. BC students want to see the BC government increase funding to post-secondary institutions to restore the public funding model, which will provide stability for the hundreds of thousands of post-secondary students and employees at BC post-secondary institutions and the communities they live in.

"BC students are not satisfied with this budget," said Manpreet, Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students. "The government needs to make sure that student priorities and the post-secondary system are adequately funded going forward so that students aren’t left to foot the bill for government underfunding of post-secondary.”

“We welcome affordability measures such as the BC Renter’s Credit and BC Electricity Affordability Credit, but the government needs to make sure students who live in student housing are also included in the eligibility criteria,” said Manpreet. 

Accessibility and mental health supports that are available for students in K-12 should continue to be available for them when they reach the post-secondary system.

While BC students welcome capital investments in post-secondary institutions, including new student housing construction and centres for early childhood education, and funding for skills training through the Future Ready Action Plan, students want to see more continued investments in building student housing on campuses as population growth continues so we don’t fall back into the situation we were in previously.

The Alliance of BC Students is pleased that government has been following our recommendations to build student housing to take pressure off of rental markets and traffic congestion; we hope to see more investments in student housing to make sure students have affordable, accessible places to live on campuses across the province.

"Students want to see more money for student housing, sexualized and gender-based violence prevention, measures aimed at supporting and protecting international students, and long overdue supports for BC's graduate students,” said Manpreet.

Despite years of student advocacy, the government provided no new funding for sexualized and gender-based violence prevention and response initiatives on campuses. We are pleased that the government is now working with us to develop a Sexual Violence Action Plan for post-secondary, but students have been advocating for these measures for years and the government has not moved fast enough to address the crisis on campus when it comes to sexualized and gender-based violence.

Graduate students were also not prioritized in the Budget 2024. The ABCS fought hard to get the BC Graduate Student Scholarship as BC was the only province in Canada that didn’t have one; however, graduate students in BC and in Canada are still underfunded compared to their interprovincial and international peers.

"BC graduate students live in poverty and struggle with a variety of things. We need more targeted supports for BC's graduate students, who drive the province's innovation agenda and play a critical role in education on post-secondary campuses," said Emily Tang, ABCS Board member and Vice-President External of the UBC Graduate Student Society.

"Graduate students are struggling with things like food security, mental health, research funding, housing, sexualized and gender-based violence. They have unique needs that must be addressed, and we need the government to take those priorities seriously and step up to address them."

Students were also disappointed to see that the MSP fee for international students, which was eliminated for everyone else in 2020, still remains in effect. The MSP fee was doubled for international students at the same time that it was cut for everyone else, increasing costs for students who already pay tuition 4-5x higher than the average domestic student tuition.

BC students are waiting for the release of the International Education Framework, the Funding Formula Review, and the Sexual Violence Action Plan. Students hope that what was not addressed in the budget will be addressed soon. 

For more information please contact:

Manpreet - she/her

Chairperson

e: chairperson@bcstudents.ca

www.bcstudents.ca

 
  Joshua Millard - he/him

Executive Director

c: (604) 600-6732

e: jmillard@bcstudents.ca

www.bcstudents.ca

Hassan Merali - he/him

Director of Communications

c: (778) 580-7967

e: hmerali@bcstudents.ca

www.bcstudents.ca

The Alliance of British Columbia Students is a non-partisan society of student associations representing undergraduate, graduate, and trades students from across the province that exists to advocate on issues that affect post-secondary students in British Columbia.

BUDGET 2023 MISSES THE MARK ON SUPPORTING STUDENTS

UNCEDED MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH, AND TSLEIL-WAUTUTH TERRITORIES/VANCOUVER, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is disappointed that Budget 2023 includes little of what students have been asking for in recent years. Budget 2023 misses the mark on supporting students with affordability, sexualized and gender-based violence, and equal treatment for international students.

Students have been hit hard over the last several years by escalating tuition fees, soaring food prices, and exorbitant housing costs. Although adjusting student loan maximums and repayment timelines may temporarily help to make post-secondary education more accessible for some, it does not address the costs of living and education that force students to take on debt in the first place.

“Budget 2023 doesn’t address the root causes of the affordability of post-secondary education or living costs in BC,” said Aryanna Chartrand, Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students. “Students have been advocating for an increase to the BC Access Grant for years, and it was disappointing to see government increase the ability for students to take on debt while not increasing the BC Access Grant. We’ve also advocated for expanding access to the BC Access Grant to graduate students, who face additional affordability pressures with significantly less funding options as undergraduate students.”

Students living on campus would also not be eligible for the Refundable Renter’s Credit as they are not covered by the Residential Tenancy Act, and as the government signals their intent to increase student housing at post-secondary institutions, the crisis of sexualized and gender-based violence on campus continues. The ABCS maintains that funding student housing initiatives while leaving sexualized and gender-based violence supports on campus under-resourced and underfunded is both irresponsible and dangerous.

“We cannot invite more students to live on campus without first making sure that there are well-funded supports in place to prevent and respond to sexualized and gender-based violence,” Chartrand emphasized. “Current legislation does not even mandate minimum standards for post-secondary institutions’ sexualized violence policies.”

The post-secondary system is increasingly reliant on international students to generate revenue. With no limit on how much post-secondary institutions can increase tuition each year, international students are faced with  enormous increases from one year to the next. With no predictability or stability during their time studying in BC, international students find it hard to pay for their education and the rising cost of living.

“International students are facing ever-increasing tuition fees and costs of living, forcing them to work long hours and contributing to mental health issues,” Chartrand explained. “International students are an integral part of our society and contribute to the diversity of our province. They have been exploited by post-secondary institutions to make up for the lack of funding from the government. It’s time for BC to stop relying on international students to fund our post-secondary system and cover international students under the tuition limit policy.”

The post-secondary education sector in BC has been severely underfunded for decades, with the proportion of provincial grant funding for institutions decreasing from 90% in 1979 to 34% in 2020. Students and their families have had to make up the difference, with undergraduate tuition rising 185% from 1991 to 2018 and international student tuition increasing 485%. 

The Alliance of BC Students will continue to advocate for the needs of post-secondary students across the province and hopes to see further investment in critical areas in the future.

For more information please contact:

Aryanna Chartrand

Chairperson

Pronouns: she/her

e: chairperson@bcstudents.ca

www.bcstudents.ca

The Alliance of British Columbia Students is a non-partisan society of student associations representing undergraduate, graduate, and trades students from across the province that exists to advocate on issues that affect post-secondary students in British Columbia.

The Alliance Joins Student Organizations From Across the Country To Release A Joint Publication On Student Financial Aid

Unceded Coast Salish Territories/Vancouver, BC - In a time of consistent financial precarity, nine student advocacy organizations across Canada, including the Alliance of BC Students, have come together to release Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on the Changing Landscape of Student Financial Aid.

This year's publication looks at how both provincial and federal governments can strengthen financial aid programs and frameworks to equitably distribute funding that targets students’ needs, especially following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many communities across the country, students faced a significant financial hit from the pandemic, jeopardizing the affordability of post-secondary for both current and prospective students.

“We are proud to partner with so many other amazing student advocacy organizations on this monumental report on the state of student financial aid,” said Aryanna Chartrand, Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students. “Shared Perspectives shows how underfunded student financial aid programs are in BC and across the country in 2022, and how that disproportionately affects marginalized students who already experience barriers to accessing and completing post-secondary education.”

Shared Perspectives includes contributions from: 

• the Alliance of BC Students (ABCS);

• the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA); 

• the College Student Alliance (CSA);

• the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS); 

• the Manitoba Alliance of Post-Secondary Students (MAPSS); 

• the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA); 

• the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA); 

• Students Nova Scotia (StudentsNS);

• the University of Prince Edward Island Student Union (UPEISU). 

Shared Perspectives provides region-specific analysis on the disparities and areas for improvement among various jurisdictional financial aid programs. Over the past several years, the landscape of student financial aid has seen ongoing changes, where programs that once offered benefits to students have been retracted or where newly proposed initiatives do not adequately address student affordability. In particular, student organizations have noted the disproportionate impact this has on low-income students, disabled students, 2SLGBTQIA+ students, and Black, Indigenous, and racialized students. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the pressing need for programs that best support students’ ability to finance their education through various means like upfront non-repayable grants, targeted funding, and increased allowances, among others. 

Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on the Changing Landscape of Student Financial Aid is a joint report from nine partners, representing over 600,000 students. To view the full report, visit the Alliance of BC Students website here.

For more information please contact:

Aryanna Chartrand

Chairperson

Pronouns: she/her

Alliance of British Columbia Students

e: chairperson@bcstudents.ca

www.bcstudents.ca

The Alliance of British Columbia Students is a non-partisan society of student associations from across the province representing undergraduate, graduate, and trades students. The Alliance exists to advocate on issues that affect post-secondary students in British Columbia.

ALLIANCE OF BC STUDENTS EXCITED TO WELCOME ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATION AS NEWEST MEMBER

Unceded Coast Salish Territories/Vancouver, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is thrilled to welcome the Royal Roads University Student Association as our newest member!

The Royal Roads University Student Association (RRUSA) represents undergraduate students at Royal Roads University, advocating for their unique needs and delivering services both in-person at their Colwood campus and digitally to members who attend school online.

“We’re very excited to be joining the Alliance of BC Students,” said RRUSA President Riley Huntley. “The Alliance does a lot of amazing work advocating for student-focused mental health resources, sexualized violence prevention on campus, open education resources, and the general removal of barriers to post-secondary education in BC.”

“In addition to the common problems facing all students, like sky-high tuition and living expenses, RRUSA has distinct challenges as the only student society in BC that is not protected by the University Act,” Huntley continued. “The Alliance is a strong advocate for students in BC, and joining the Alliance will help RRUSA advocate for its students for years to come. Our priorities are very much in alignment, and RRUSA is excited to get to work as a member of the Alliance of BC Students.”

“We’re incredibly delighted to have the Royal Roads University Student Association joining the Alliance of BC Students,” said ABCS Chairperson Aryanna Chartrand. “RRUSA has a strong record of advocating for the unique needs of its members, and we can’t wait to get to work with RRUSA in addressing the challenges facing its members and all students in BC.”

STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN UKRAINE

We strongly condemn the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military this week. This was an unconscionable & unprovoked attack on Ukraine, a sovereign nation, launched by the Russian government.

BC Students stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people all over the world, including members of the Ukrainian diaspora in BC and across Canada.

The Alliance of BC Students joins educational institutions, civil society, & leaders of all levels of government in calling for the de-escalation of tensions in the region. We also call on our federal government to provide asylum for those fleeing conflict in Ukraine.

We are already seeing disturbing reports of civilian targets being bombed, including educational settings. This goes against everything proponents of education should stand for; safe spaces for people from all walks of life to learn, teach, and study in peace.

We recognize that, as students, we have a unique responsibility to stand up for peace and justice. We stand in solidarity with those around the world calling for peace, including the protesters in Russia saying no to the war their government is waging.

We know news of the violence in Ukraine can be distressing, and encourage students to reach out for support if they need it.

Here are some resources where you can seek support and take action.

Here2Talk

here2talk.ca

Free, confidential counselling service available 24/7 to any post-secondary student in BC.

Save The Children

savethechildren.ca

International charity that works to help children in crisis zones, protect children from harm.

Canadian Red Cross

redcross.ca

Part of a network of humanitarian organizations that provide relief in times of crisis, conflict, and disaster. The federal government is matching individual donations to the Canadian Red Cross up to $10 million as part of the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

STUDENTS CALL ON LANGARA COLLEGE TO OFFER REMOTE LEARNING OPTIONS TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is calling on Langara College to offer remote learning options to its students in the face of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19. 

“Due to record COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations, many Langara students don’t feel safe attending class in-person,” said ABCS Chairperson Aryanna Chartrand. “The Alliance is calling on Langara College to offer remote learning options to students like they did in the first three waves of the pandemic to empower students to make their own choice about attending classes in-person.”

With 819 people hospitalized with COVID-19, testing capacity at its limit, and restrictions on large groups in all other indoor settings, student safety cannot be guaranteed in classrooms. Return to campus plans pose a significant risk to all students, and an even greater risk to students who are immunocompromised, have immunocompromised family members, or are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. 

“Over 1,275 students have signed an online petition asking Langara to delay the return in-person classes," said Manpreet Kaur, Vice-President External of the Langara Students' Union. "They don’t feel safe returning to campus right now, and they shouldn’t be made to do so when online learning options exist and have been used successfully during this pandemic. Langara College needs to listen to its students about their safety and empower them with the choice to attend class from home.”

For more information please contact: chairperson@bcstudents.ca.

STUDENTS CALL ON PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER TO CHANGE GUIDANCE TO POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is calling on BC’s Public Health Officer (PHO) to change the guidance issued to post-secondary institution presidents on December 21, 2021 that “strongly recommend(s) a continuation of on-campus instruction for post-secondary institutions in January 2022.”

“In light of the extraordinarily fast spread of the Omicron variant, on-campus instruction is even less safe than it was just a month ago,” said ABCS Chairperson Aryanna Chartrand. “The Alliance is calling on the PHO to change the guidance recently issued to post-secondary institution presidents and instead recommend a case-by-case approach that takes into account local public health conditions and the advice of each institution’s student union, and maximizes the number of available hybrid learning options for students.”

“The blanket guidance that the PHO has issued to post-secondary institution presidents encourages post-secondary institutions to opt for an approach that does not accommodate immunocompromised students, who have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or students who live with people who are immunocompromised, “ said Chartrand. “The PHO should encourage post-secondary institutions to provide all students with the agency to choose whether or not to take the risk of attending class in-person, or stay safe by attending class online.”

For more information please contact:

Aryanna Chartrand
Chairperson
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
e: chairperson@bcstudents.ca
www.bcstudents.ca

Joshua Millard
Executive Director
Pronouns: He/Him/His
c: (604) 600-6732
|e: jmillard@bcstudents.ca

Hassan Merali
Director, Communications
Pronouns: He/Him/His
c: (778) 580-7967
e: hmerali@bcstudents.ca

Statement on RCMP Violence in Wet'suwet'en

North Vancouver / Unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō (Stahlo), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Territory

Today, Aryanna Chartrand, Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students, issued this statement on the situation in Wet'suwet'en territory:

“The Alliance condemns in the strongest possible terms the colonial violence taking place on traditional unceded Wet'suwet'en territory against land defenders and Indigenous peoples. We are alarmed by this latest escalation by the RCMP and stand in solidarity with those at Wedzin Kwa defending their Yintah.

The Alliance also condemns the illegal arrests of journalists who are documenting this colonial violence.

The decision to serve the corporate interests of Coastal Gaslink and arrest land defenders, instead of protecting human rights and pristine ecological habitat, is atrocious.

The RCMP must withdraw from Wet'suwet'en territory as soon as possible and stop violating Indigenous, Charter, and human rights. We urge the Government of British Columbia to reallocate RCMP resources to supplying food, materials, and aid to the evacuation and support of communities affected by the recent mudslides and flooding. 

The Alliance of BC Students is committed to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Calls to Justice outlined by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People.

We remind the province that in 2019, the provincial government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act). The Declaration Act establishes the UN Declaration as the province’s framework for reconciliation, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

We remind the province that the following articles are being violated by the current RCMP actions against the Wet’suwet’en land defenders:

Article 8

1. States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of, and redress for: 

   1. any action which has the aim or effect of dispossessing them of their lands, territories and resources.

Article 10

1.  Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories. 

Article 26: 

1. Indigenous people have the right to lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.

2. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired

3. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous peoples concerned.

Article 32: 

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for the development or use of their land or territories and other resources.

We urge the province and the RCMP to deescalate the situation and respect the rights of land defenders, Indigenous peoples, and journalists.”

Statement on Flooding and Evacuation Orders Across BC

North Vancouver/Unceded Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Territories - Today, Aryanna Chartrand, Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students, issued this statement on the flooding and extreme weather events happening around the province: 

“The Alliance of BC Students is devastated to hear about the destruction of homes and the evacuation of people across the province. From Abbotsford to Merritt, these extreme weather events are impacting students, their families, their educational institutions, and their communities. 

The Alliance of BC Students is keeping the members of the University of the Fraser Valley Student Union Society (UFVSUS) in our thoughts right now. We are also thinking of all students living in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Merritt, and affected students across the province. 

From atmospheric rivers to heat domes to bomb cyclones and wildfires, students in BC are living through a climate emergency. A month’s rainfall in two days is not normal. Whole towns burning to the ground is not normal. Highways connecting communities being washed away by landslides is not normal. The climate crisis is killing people and communities, and as these weather events become more intense, so will our advocacy for solutions to prevent the worst of climate change.” 

The Alliance Stands In Solidarity with Hotel Workers

Statement from the Alliance’s Chairperson, Aryanna Chartrand:

On April 16th 2020, DSDL Canada fired nearly 100 long-term workers at the Hilton Metrotown in Vancouver, BC. Instead of providing support to workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a community of workers that is largely comprised of Indigenous and immigrant women of colour were denied access to work and denied the security that employees should be able to count on from their employers. Representing thousands of workers in the hotel, food service, airport and gaming industries, UNITE HERE Local 40 has continued to advocate for the rights of these workers.

The Alliance of BC Students serves as a unified voice for member organizations across British Columbia, representing 80,000 students. Our members include students from diverse and complex backgrounds that work to break down barriers and strive for equity for students. However, students are individuals with lives that cannot be limited to a single institution or campus. Our membership reflects the dynamic and diverse individuals who continue to strive for equity, justice and access. 

In hearing of the wrongfully terminated and unsupported workers, our Board of Directors unanimously voted in favour in supporting our allies of workers. 

1. We stand in solidarity with the workers of the Hilton Metrotown and UniteHere Local 40’s BC Unequal Women campaign.

2. Along with other community leaders, we pledge to not conduct any business dealings with the Hilton Metrotown for the 2022 calendar year.

The Alliance stands in solidarity with hotel workers. Our 80,000 student members stand with hotel workers as they fight to save their livelihoods. 

Yours in solidarity, 

Aryanna Chartrand

Chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students

STUDENTS PLEASED TO SEE INVESTMENT SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is pleased today’s announcement that new investments will be made towards supporting students with disabilities accessing post-secondary education. The $250,000 investment will support the Academic Communication Equity (ACE) program, the Centre for Accessible Post-Secondary Education Resources (CAPER) and the Program for Institutional Loan of Adaptive Technology (PILAT).

“Students with disabilities face many unnecessary barriers to education due to a lack of resources to support their full participation in post-secondary ,” said Grace Dupasquier, chairperson of the Alliance of BC Students. “These barriers can be addressed - investments like this are essential to making our post-secondary system more equitable.”

Students with disabilities often face higher financial strain due to the cost of adaptive learning technologies, such as e-readers or transcribers, as well as the cost of managing their disability, such as the cost of medication not covered under public health. Investing in supports for students with disabilities is essential towards offsetting these additional costs that make accessibility post-secondary extremely difficult for many students with disabilities.

"We are glad to see these investments coming forward, but we know that more still needs to be done to ensure students with disabilities have the support they need to access their education," continued Dupasquier. “We hope to see additional investments in these programs, and other financial aid programs moving forward."

The Alliance of BC Students supports increasing investments in programs to support students with disabilities and additional data collection on the experiences of students with disabilities to ensure that these programs are supporting students where it is most needed.

STUDENTS PLEASED TO SEE INVESTMENTS IN SKILLS TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, MENTAL HEALTH

VICTORIA, BC- The Alliance of BC Students is pleased to see $68 million in investments through BC Budget 2021 towards skills training and employment opportunities for students, young people, women, and Indigenous people. The Budget includes an investment of $36 million to increase job placements and co-op opportunities for students and recent graduates, an additional $5 million for micro-credential programs, $6 million for work-integrated learning placements, and $4 million for short-term skills training programs. $17 million is also allocated to increase access to skills training for Indigenous peoples. The Alliance is also supportive of new investments in mental health, including $8 million towards suicide prevention and the establishment of 12 additional Foundry Centres to provide free services to youth aged 12 to 24.

“We are glad to see access to post-secondary education and employment for students and young people being prioritized through this budget,” said Anna-Elaine Rempel, Executive Director of the Alliance of BC Students. “Students have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, particularly in job losses and reductions to their work hours, leading to high rates of stress and anxiety.” 

Students are more likely to work in sectors that have been the most directly impacted by the pandemic. Student employment in Canada reached a peak in the summer of 2020 with women students’ unemployment reaching 41% and men students’ unemployment at 37%, which are currently sitting around 15% and 11.5% respectively. Job losses and financial strain have significantly contributed to declines in mental wellbeing since the beginning of the pandemic, particularly for women, gender-diverse folks, and Indigenous people.

While these investments are necessary and appreciated, the Alliance hopes to see additional future investments in student financial aid and ongoing free- to low-cost, multi-session counselling services for students, especially those over the age of 24. The Alliance also notes that international students continue to not have access to most pandemic financial supports and programs, including some of the investments included in today’s budget. The Alliance will continue to advocate for inclusion of international students in recognition of their immense contributions to the economic and social wellbeing of BC.

"Today’s budget recognizes many of the challenges that students and young people are facing in this pandemic and takes meaningful steps to address them," Rempel continued. “We will continue to advocate for supports for graduate education, international students, and age-inclusive, ongoing student mental health services"

Student organizations across the country release a joint publication on supporting students during and after COVID-19

VANCOUVER, BC -  After a year of unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ten student organizations across Canada, including the Alliance of BC Students, have released Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on Supporting Students During and After COVID-19. This publication looks at how governments, institutions, and higher-education stakeholders can better support students and recent graduates as Canada responds to and recovers from COVID-19. Post-secondary students across Canada share their perspectives on issues facing the sector, including student mental health, quality of online learning, student financial aid, and support for marginalized students. 

“Students are amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of areas, including job losses, financial strain, mental health decline, and navigating the challenges of remote learning” said Grace Dupasquier, the Chairperson of the ABCS. “We know these challenges will continue to impact current and future students well into the future, and decisive action must be taken to address them.” 

Shared Perspectives highlights the unique challenges post-secondary students have faced while navigating COVID-19 on both a national and provincial level. The ABCS’s submission focuses on the ongoing mental health impacts of the pandemic, which only exacerbated the ongoing mental health challenges students were already facing.

Students urge the federal and provincial governments to provide targeted supports to students and recent graduates so they can contribute to the long-term economic recovery of the country. Students and recent graduates will play an important role in Canada’s economy and society post-pandemic, so federal and provincial governments must invest in them now.

Supports for Students Critical in Ongoing Reality of Pandemic

VANCOUVER, BC - The Alliance of BC Students is relieved to see that the province has invested an additional $4 million towards emergency financial aid for post-secondary students impacted by the pandemic. 

“Right now, students are dealing with rising housing costs, job losses, cuts to their hours, worsening mental health conditions, and more” said Grace Dupasquier, the Chairperson of the ABCS. “This additional emergency funding is an important recognition of the struggle students are facing, and their need for support.” 

Students are more likely to be employed in tourism, hospitality and service industries, all of which have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and necessary health restrictions. Students also have to deal with an additional cost of living - tuition - that uniquely impacts their financial stability. Boosting emergency financial aid is an integral part of responding to the challenges post-secondary students are facing.

"Since the onset of the pandemic, we have heard from so many students who are in positions of extreme hardship," continued Dupasquier. “Any and all assistance at this time is critical, especially when we know how fundamental access to education will be in BC’s recovery from the devastation of COVID-19."

Statistics Canada reports that over 70% of students are experiencing financial concern as a result of the pandemic. A survey by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations indicates that the pandemic has had considerable impact on student mental health, including dramatically heightened rates of stress, anxiety, isolation, and sadness. 75% of students reported that these mental health impacts were linked to their financial precarity. 31% of students in British Columbia feared they would have to take on additional student debt to finance their education as a result of the pandemic.

Students Support Continuation of Graduate Scholarship

VANCOUVER, BC - The Alliance of BC Students (ABCS) is pleased with the announcement today of additional funding for the BC Graduate Student Scholarship, which will extend the award program into 2022, and will fund an additional 250 students with awards of $15,000 each.

“We are extremely happy to see a continued commitment from the government to supporting all areas of post-secondary education.” said Grace Dupasquier, the Chairperson of the ABCS. “Graduate students will play an essential role in BC’s economic recovery - investing in student success is investing in our greatest resource - our people.” 

According to the most recent data in BC, the average Master’s degree holder will graduate with $36,000 in debt, which is $8,000 higher than the national average. Between 1991 and 2018, the average tuition costs for a domestic graduate student rose by 332%. 

“We know that for many, the cost of continuing their education is prohibitive, and this particularly impacts students from lower income backgrounds and students from equity-seeking communities,” continued Dupasquier. “This extension of this program is an opportunity to address these barriers and provide access to education for students who may not have had the chance to continue otherwise."

The National Graduates Survey indicates that 40% of BC graduates owe debt at their time of graduation. Of these graduates with debt, 32% had debt loads higher than $30,000. Data shows that pursuit of a graduate degree substantially increases an individual’s earning potential. However, lower income students face significant barriers to achieving graduate education, limiting their economic mobility and ability to contribute to their communities. These impacts are also gendered - despite making up only 55% of post-secondary enrolments, female students in BC make up 62% of students accessing financial aid. The ABCS looks forward to the benefits that the BC Graduate Scholarship will continue to bring to our province.