NDP promises roll-back of tuition, residence fee hikes

The NDP strategy of enhancing social supportfor the people of Newfoundland and Labrador continued Fridaywith Leader Earle McCurdy announcinghis party would roll back recenttuition and residence feehikes at post-secondary institutionsif elected on Nov. 30.

"Our province can't afford to put up more barriers for young peopleat a time when our demographic profile suggests we're an aging population," McCurdy said during a new conference at Memorial University in St. John's.

"We need to lay out the opportunities so young people can put down roots and raise a family right here at home."

McCurdycriticized the governing Progressive Conservatives for cutting $20 million from Memorial University's operating grant this year, and delivering a further blow by refusing to make a $20-million contribution to assist MUN with its pension obligations.

In response, the universityraised tuition fees for graduate and international students by $750and hiked residence fees by an average of $1,000. The increase isdue to come into effect in September.

The NDP will eliminate those increases and reinstate the fee freeze that had positioned MUN as one of the cheapestuniversities in the country.

McCurdy said lower fees had attracted a significant number of Canadian and international students, and he doesn't want MUN to lose its "competitive edge."

"We should be willing to invest a few dollars in order to do so," he said.

He referenced research by the Canadian Federation of Students that suggest more than 70 per cent of foreign students, and more than 40 per cent of out-of-province students,remain in the province after completing their education.

The announcement was welcomed by the Canadian Federation of Students.

"The commitment to keep the freeze is in the best interest of students and their families, and is in the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador," said TravisPerry, chair of the federation's local branch.

International graduate student at MUN Matthew Rittenhousepraised the NDP for its promise.

He said the low tuition and cost of living played a large role in his decision to study at MUN.

"I don't know if I would have came here if the tuition fees had been as high as they are being proposed to be raised," he said.