free

Thursday March 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday March 17, 2016 ÔFreeÕ tuition in Ontario doesnÕt mean there are no costs to students Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worries about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing ÒfreeÓ tuition, because there are caveats. The Liberal government announced in its recent budget that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less. But in a question-and-answer session with student leaders on Tuesday, Wynne was asked why the program is being marketed as free tuition, when students who qualify would still incur some costs. It is expected that students will still pay $3,000 toward their overall costs, such as living expenses, to supplement the tuition grant. ÒI have worried about the same thing, that itÕs free with some explanation required,Ó she said. ÒI think at the same time, if weÕre talking about tuition, average tuition, the grant will cover that, so that will be free.Ó The language around the new grant will likely Òevolve,Ó she said. The $3,000 figure was arrived at because staff determined it was a Òreasonable amountÓ that a student could make at a summer job, the premier said. Under the new program, half of students from families with incomes of $83,000 will qualify for non-repayable grants to cover their tuition and no student will receive less than they can currently receive. The government is defining average college tuition as $2,768 and average university tuition as $6,160, for arts and science programs. Wynne conceded the Ontario Student Grant is targeted at full-time, not part-time, students. ÒI donÕt think we actually have the plan for part-time students that we need,Ó she said. ÒThere are some supports in place through the Canada Student Assistance Grants, but I think that thereÕs more that we have to do.Ó She a

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 17, 2016

‘Free’ tuition in Ontario doesn’t mean there are no costs to students

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she worries about her government pitching a new student grant program as providing “free” tuition, because there are caveats.

The Liberal government announced in its recent budget that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less.

But in a question-and-answer session with student leaders on Tuesday, Wynne was asked why the program is being marketed as free tuition, when students who qualify would still incur some costs.

It is expected that students will still pay $3,000 toward their overall costs, such as living expenses, to supplement the tuition grant.

“I have worried about the same thing, that it’s free with some explanation required,” she said. “I think at the same time, if we’re talking about tuition, average tuition, the grant will cover that, so that will be free.”

The language around the new grant will likely “evolve,” she said.

The $3,000 figure was arrived at because staff determined it was a “reasonable amount” that a student could make at a summer job, the premier said.

Under the new program, half of students from families with incomes of $83,000 will qualify for non-repayable grants to cover their tuition and no student will receive less than they can currently receive.

The government is defining average college tuition as $2,768 and average university tuition as $6,160, for arts and science programs.

Wynne conceded the Ontario Student Grant is targeted at full-time, not part-time, students.

“I don’t think we actually have the plan for part-time students that we need,” she said. “There are some supports in place through the Canada Student Assistance Grants, but I think that there’s more that we have to do.”

She also acknowledged there are calls from some corners for free tuition for every student. Wynne said she was open to the discussion, but at the moment the government can pay for the new student grant through combining several programs and eliminating some tax credits.

“In an ideal world we might actually move there,” she said. “I don’t know at this point how we would do that.” (Canadian Press)

 

Thursday September 13, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday September 13, 2012

Attacks On US Free Speech: US Responds – Analysis

The killing of three consulate officials and US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the burnt down US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and the burning of the US flag by protestors at the US Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, have created the mixture of anger, fear, and politics.

Some analysts have suggested that at least some of the instigators were al Qaeda and that the attacks were staged and not random reactions to the film, “The Innocence of Muslims” which discredits and disgraces the Prophet Muhammad. Viewing footage of the protests in Cairo, it is more likely that they are disgruntled Muslim Egyptians than terrorists.

This official Cairo Embassy Statement as released on their site September 11, 2012:

“The Ambassador and staff of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo condemn the burning a copy of the Koran that occurred several days ago in the state of Florida by a small group of individuals who represent no one but themselves. Since the founding of our nation, the United States has upheld the principles of tolerance and respect for religious freedom. Millions of Muslim-Americans practice their faith freely throughout the United States and enjoy the full rights guaranteed to them by our laws and constitution. Public condemnation of this event has come from a variety of organizations representing the diverse religious traditions that flourish in the United States.”

Charles Krauthammer said on Fox News that the official US “apology” to the protestors is “disgraceful”—an “embarrassment.” Freedom of speech is “our sacred right” and the message to the protestors should be, “Go to Hell.” (Source: Eurasia Review)