Budget Cuts Deepen Pandemic Crisis in PSE, Students call for PSE Investments

Edmonton, Alberta - The 2021 Budget for the Government of Alberta, tabled today, has sent a clear signal to students: quality is going down, but costs are going up. Since 2018, the Government of Alberta has cut funding for Advanced Education by over $300 million, offloading the cost onto students who faced an equivalent $300 million increase to their tuition. Student Financial Aid relies increasingly more on student loans with more than $731 million being added to student debt in the coming year. 

“This is a big disappointment for both students and families,” said Rowan Ley, Chair of Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS). “High costs and unpredictable funding will cause students to look elsewhere for schooling and they’ll stay there. Others will see the high cost and simply opt out, never fully realizing their full potential.”

Against a backdrop of a global health crisis and little prospects for employment for recent grads, the Government continues to ignore needs on Alberta’s campuses. With a cut of $130 million, this budget will be compromising the safety of students and quality of education on campuses experiencing significant deferred maintenance needs. Degrading campus facilities bring into jeopardy the institution’s ability to offer high quality education programs, as available funding only provides for superficial repairs.

“Students are unable to find work and are struggling to pay for their basic needs, let alone increased tuition and fees,” said Marley Gillies, Vice Chair of CAUS. “This while the quality of education declines due to online learning. If this government is serious about spurring economic recovery it needs to support students and new graduates to find jobs. Investing in education is what any serious government ought to do in an economic crisis.”

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The Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) represents the interests of over 140,000 undergraduate students at Athabasca University, MacEwan University, Mount Royal University, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge.