Wednesday, May 15, 2013

VANCOUVER–Students are ready to work with newly elected and re-elected Members of the Legislature to make education more accessible.

“Making post-secondary education accessible means reducing tuition fees,” says Katie Marocchi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-BC, “Struggling students and our families want the government to change the current course of public education to reduce tuition fees and drop student debt.”

In 2001, the BC Liberal government deregulated tuition fees. As a result tuition fees skyrocketed, surpassing greatly the rate of inflation and reaching record high levels. From 2001 to 2012, tuition fees more than doubled. Despite the current regulations, tuition fee rates continue to climb.

“Continuing tuition fee increases would not reverse the damage done to affordability and accessibility,” says Marocchi. “As students we won’t sit on our hands for another four years and let our families fall prey to massive student debt.”

With record high tuition fees in BC’s post-secondary education system, the province boasts a shameful average of $27,000 student debt upon graduation.

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of students from 15 post-secondary institutions across every region of BC. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations since 1927.

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Tuesday, Feburary 19, 2013

VICTORIA—BC’s new financial aid scheme is a major disappointment for students, who say that the program cut by the BC Liberals in 2004 was more generous and more effective at increasing access to post-secondary education. Unlike the previous grant program, the new savings scheme is more likely to benefit wealthier households.

“It’s the classic reverse Robin Hood: Steal from the poor to give to the rich,” said Katie Marocchi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–British Columbia. “It took the BC Liberal government more than eight years to come up with a replacement for the student grant program they cancelled. What was tabled today is a truly inferior program in every way.”

The new scheme—a $1,200 contribution to Registered Education Savings Plan holders—is worth less than one-quarter of one year of university tuition fees.

The “BC Training and Education Savings Program” is a one-time contribution to 6 year-old British Columbians. Successful applicants must have an RESP account and apply during a 12-month window immediately preceding their seventh birthday.

Post-secondary institutions will suffer a $45-million cut in core funding by 2015. When accounting for inflation, per student funding for BC’s post-secondary institutions is lower than 2001 levels. Eroding per student funding has driven up tuition fees and led to the largest class sizes in Canada.

“Students are paying more and getting less every year. Tuition fees are going up while class sizes increase, equipment becomes outdated, and building maintenance is ignored.” said Marocchi.

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of students from 16 post-secondary institutions across every region of BC. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations since 1927. 

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Saturday, January 26, 2013

VICTORIA—Students will join today’s demonstrations at the Legislature to support the Idle No More movement, which calls on the federal government to honour Aboriginal treaty rights, including the right to self-govern.

“The Canadian Federation of Students-BC recognizes the right to self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada,” said Katie Marocchi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-BC (CFS-BC). “Legislation such as Bill C-45 undermines Aboriginal and treaty rights and should be condemned.”

At its most recent general meeting, the CFS-BC passed a resolution of support for the Idle No More movement and endorsed the petition opposing Bill C-45. The bill makes changes to land provisions in the Indian Act and weakens protections for natural resources in Canada including fresh water. CFS-BC also passed several resolutions outlining calls for action in partnership with local Aboriginal groups to oppose the legislated attacks on Aboriginal and treaty rights.

“In Canada only 8% of the Aboriginal persons hold a university degree compared to 23% of non-Aboriginal peoples,” said Megan Marshall, Aboriginal Students’ Liaison of the CFS-BC. “Access to education is just one example of the many challenges Aboriginal peoples in Canada face.”

Elected student representatives of Douglas Students’ Union, Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College, Emily Carr Students’ Union, Vancouver Island University Students’ Union, and Camosun College Students’ Society will be in attendance of the rally.

“We are proud to be supporting such an important movement,” says Madison Paradis-Woodman, Aboriginal Liaison at the Douglas Students’ Union. “The best way for people support the Idle No More movement is through education, action, and challenging racism.” 

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of post-secondary students from 16 universities and colleges in every region in BC. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations since 1927.

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Thursday, December 6, 2012   

VANCOUVER—The student associations of the public post-secondary institutions of Metro Vancouver would like to announce the renewal of the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) BC Program with the support of the government of British Columbia, TransLink, and the public post-secondary institutions of Metro Vancouver.

In September 2011, British Columbia was the first province to offer a universal and comprehensive transit program for all students attending publicly funded post-secondary institutions. Since the implementation of U-Pass BC, students have enjoyed affordable and sustainable modes of transportation, where all three travel zones are included in the cost of U-Pass BC. The renewal of U-Pass BC will continue to foster a new generation of transit users, where fewer people will be driving, which will result in less traffic congestion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The cost of the U-Pass BC will save students money as TransLink has just announced the increase of all TransLink fare media for January 2013. The cost of a regular adult 1, 2, and 3 zone pass will cost $91.00, $124.00, and $170, respectively. The cost of the renewed U-Pass BC will start May 2013, with a new three-year contract for the program. The proposed new monthly rate of U-Pass BC is $35 from May 2013 to April 2014, $36.75 from May 2014 to April 2015 and $38 from May 2015 to April 2016.

From January to March 2013, students across Metro Vancouver will have an opportunity to vote in a referendum to continue their participation in the U-Pass BC Program. If successful, all eligible students attending public post-secondary institutions will be required to purchase the U-Pass BC as a part of their student fees.

The government of B.C. will be continuing its investment in the program from April 2013 to April 2016.  The renewal of the contract is also timely with the introduction of TransLink’s Compass Card for all transit users, including students. This use of the Compass Card, in conjunction with the U-Pass BC, will simplify access to U-Pass BC, standardize fare media used by students, and facilitate travel and mobility within Metro Vancouver.

Thursday, December 6, 2012    

VANCOUVER—Students across BC are marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women by continuing to work to end violence against women on campuses and in communities. 

“Each year, students hold actions and memorials on campuses in recognition of the 1989 École Polytechnique murders,” said Katie Marocchi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia. “Not only to remember a tragedy motivated by sexism that occurred within our lifetime, but because misogyny still exists on our campuses and in our communities.”

In Canada, more than 50% of women will experience violence at some point in their lives, most before the age of 25. Approximately 25% of women undergraduate students experience some form of sexual abuse. At its most recent annual general meeting, the Canadian Federation of Students vowed to support local students’ unions efforts to make campuses safer for women. 

“There are many people who deny the violence and oppression women face,” says Marocchi. “It is what motivates students to continue to raise awareness about the issues, while lobbying college and university administrations for safer campuses for women. 

Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique murders.

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of 16 students’ unions from every region of British Columbia. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations since 1927.

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Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

VANCOUVER—An opinion research study released today shows the public is ahead of political leaders when it comes to tax policy. It finds most British Columbians—regardless of how they would vote in a provincial election—are in favour of changes to BC’s tax system to ensure everyone pays a fair share and to enable new or enhanced public services.

Beyond the 1%: What British Columbians think about taxes, inequality and public services reports results from an extensive online survey of 1,023 BC residents*, conducted in July 2012 by Environics Research, and nine group interviews conducted in Metro Vancouver, Nanaimo and Kamloops. Among the key findings:

• British Columbians support tax increases for major corporations and people with high incomes.
  • 67% of respondents think major corporations are asked to pay less tax than they should, and 44% say much less than they should.
  • 78% of respondents say people in the top 20% of incomes are asked to pay less tax than they should, and 63% say much less than they should.
  • 57% said those making $100,000 and over should pay more, and nearly a third believed the threshold for tax increases should be $85,000. 
• When asked how they feel about their own level of taxation, most British Columbians (71%) indicate they pay too much tax. However, the respondents were also asked if they would consider paying a slightly higher share of their income to provincial income tax (for most people representing a few hundred dollars per year) in order to help bring about 11 different policy changes. The changes included items such as “provide more access to home and community care for seniors,” “create a $10/day child care program,” “protect BC’s forests and endangered species,” and “eliminate MSP premiums.”
  • 68% of respondents indicated they are willing to pay a higher share of their own income in order to support 4 or more of the 11 policies, and 38% are willing to pay for 8 or more. 
  • Respondents’ overall willingness to pay slightly higher income tax for the policies varied depending on which political party they would support in a provincial election—but only slightly. (On average, Liberal voters were willing to pay for 5.4 of 11 policies, Conservative voters for 5.5, NDP voters for 6.5, and Green voters for 6.8.)
  • Younger generations (respondents aged 18-29 and 30-44) are significantly more likely to be willing to pay than their older counterparts.
• Low trust in government and politicians curbs peoples’ willingness to consider tax increases, but there are steps governments can take to regain the public’s confidence—among them, making government more open and transparent (83% say this would increase their confidence), creating more opportunities for citizens to have a say (76%), reducing the income gap between the wealthy and others (74%), and making public services more accessible to everyone (75%).

“We’ve had this idea that tax increases are a no-go zone in BC,” says Shannon Daub, Director of Communication with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ BC Office, who led the study. “But public opinion is shifting, and if anything our political leaders are behind the curve. Not only do most British Columbians want to see tax increases at the higher end of the income ladder, they are prepared to pitch in themselves—if they know the money will support concrete changes, and if we do tax policy in a transparent way.”

“Taxes can be a contentious issue, as we well know in BC,” says Randy Galawan, who co-led the study. “But our research shows that we’re ready for a thoughtful, democratic conversation about how to make the tax system more fair and improve our quality of life.”

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

VANCOUVER—The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is calling on the provincial government to get deals done with the thousands of campus workers who have outstanding contract negotiations.

“If it wanted to, the government could end all of the campus labour disruptions today,” said Katie Marocchi, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia (CFS-BC). “The government needs to get these deals done so students don’t miss another hour of class.”

The contract talks that are underway fall within the “net-zero” parameters as outlined by government. Contracts with several campus unions were signed during this semester, but progress stopped suddenly with no explanation as to why. 

“The province must prioritize signing these contracts,” said Marocchi. “Students, faculty, and administrators all want to see as little disruption as possible.”

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC is composed of 16 students’ unions from every region of British Columbia. Post-secondary students in Canada have been represented by the Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organizations since 1927.

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