Tuition

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)

 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Saturday, June 7, 2014What Are Your Top Reasons For Voting?

ADD YOUR LIST IN THE COMMENT BOX BELOW

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, June 7, 2014

Saturday June 7, 2014Can’t stand any of them? Are you in a non-swing riding where you know marking an x won’t really mean anything? You can DECLINE YOUR VOTE.

The 41st Ontario general election will be held on June 12, 2014. It was ordered to take place by Lieutenant Governor David Onley on May 2, 2014. The decision came upon the recommendation of Premier Kathleen Wynne after Ontario New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath announced that the NDP, whose support was critical to the survival of the Ontario Liberal Party’s minority government in the 40th Legislative Assembly of Ontario, would vote against the Liberals’ proposed budget. (Source)

10 best reasons to vote this election

 1. Pick your billion-dollar transportation plan

 The Liberals will pay for rapid transit in Hamilton, but won’t utter the letters L-R-T. The New Democrats will fund light rail, but won’t say how. And the Tories, well, they’ll scrap it all in favour of a contentious mid-peninsula highway past the airport.

 2. Class size conundrum

 The Progressive Conservatives plan to increase class sizes for children of all ages, while at the same time cutting teachers and school staff. The consequence is more concentrated classrooms, which could be challenging for your kids. But the party will bring back the old math curriculum so your kids aren’t so dependant on calculators.

 3. Affordable housing

 More than 5,000 people are waiting for affordable housing in Hamilton, and the Liberals are the only ones with a platform to fix it. But the party’s commitments still fall desperately short of the need for more funding, housing stock and capital repairs.

 4. Crumbling roads and bridges

 The city has a $2-billion backlog on needed repairs to bridges, roads and other infrastructure and all it takes is a quick drive down Burlington Street to prove it. The Grits and the New Democrats have both pledged $29 billion to transportation over the next decade, but it’s not clear how much of that could end up on our city streets.

 5. Pension promises

 The centrepiece of the Liberal election platform is the creation of a provincial pension plan that would double the retirement income of recipients — a potential boon for the more than 3 million Ontario workers who haven’t saved enough. Is it the perfect solution or, as Ontario Tory Leader Tim Hudak put it, a “job-killing payroll tax”?

 6. Scandals

 From cancelled gas plants to a massive research bailout, Kathleen Wynne and her Liberals have been plagued by scandals on the campaign trail — and her political foes warn it’s not the end of it. This is your chance to hold the Grits accountable.

 7. 100,000 pink slips

Hudak says he’ll cut 100,000 public sector jobs and then create a million more jobs. His math has been widely criticized. Do you believe in a job-creation tax credit or a jobs and prosperity fund? On Thursday, you can choose your preferred plan — but you might want to brush up on your arithmetic before you cast your vote.

8. Think of those in need

 The Liberals and New Democrats promise to tackle poverty through initiatives such as student nutrition programs, child health and dental benefits, and higher wages for the lowest earners. The PCs also support boosting the minimum wage. These steps would benefit Hamiltonians — one in five of whom live below the poverty line — but they still fall short of a “living wage.”

9. School closures

 The Grits have offered incentives to close half-empty schools, while the New Democrats promise cash to keep them open. The Green party? It’ll create a single school system in Ontario, saving more than $1 billion a year — and, potentially, your neighbourhood school.

10. Democracy

 It’s been 70 years since D-Day when more than 350 Canadian soldiers died fighting for our freedom and democratic rights. Honour their ultimate sacrifice by getting to the polls. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

CBC Ontario Votes

CTV Election 2014

Spec Votes 2014

SOCIAL MEDIA

This cartoon appeared on National Newswatch, and Yahoo Canada News.

Thursday May 24, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday May 24, 2012

Occupy Montreal movement joins Quebec student protesters

Occupy Montreal has passed to the next level.

Thanks to the student protests, organizers say the movement now occupies the city in a way it never dreamed before – every day and every night.

“Participants in Occupy Montreal have been helping out with the student protests since the beginning of the strike,” said Paul Bode, 31, an Occupy activist who has a long association with the movement.

“It’s a common cause, and we’re happy to go back and forth between the two,” said Bode, a Westmount-raised community activist who teaches English, works in construction and lives in St. Henri.

“But in fact, we view Occupy Montreal as a verb, right? And basically, right now the students are occupying Montreal, and we’re helping out with that,” he added before heading out to join Tuesday’s march at Place des Festivals.

So does that make Occupy itself a bit redundant?

Not at all. It means the movement can now shift its focus away from downtown, Bode and other organizers say.

Instead of squatting in Montreal’s financial district for weeks like it did before being evicted last fall – and did again for a few days earlier this month, minus any overnight stays – Occupy activists will target Montreal’s boroughs over several weekends this summer.

In each instance, their occupation will serve to highlight a local issue, such as social inequality, and to “act locally.” First up: a neighborhood of the Plateau Mont-Royal in June. (Source: Montreal Gazette)

 

Friday May 18, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Friday May 18, 2012

Charest suspends classes in response to strikes

The Charest government, abandoning any hope of negotiating a settlement with striking students, announced it is suspending classes in colleges and universities where students are still on strike.

The move will mean that students in affected institutions will not lose their session, but will be able to complete it starting in August, with the next school year beginning in October, Premier Jean Charest said.

He added that it was time to take “a pause” to reduce tensions and allow for a more appropriate learning climate.

“We need to bring down the pressure where strikes are still on. We need to bring back social peace,” Mr. Charest said.

The move affects 14 of the 48 colleges where student strikes have closed down schools, as well as certain faculties and departments in 11 of the 18 universities affected by the strike.

But Mr. Charest made it clear he was not backing away from the planned tuition fee hike for this fall and promised a tougher approach to ensure classes can resume in August, with stronger police intervention to guarantee access.

“No student will be forced to attend class. But for others, they have the right to attend classes in a secure environment,” he said.

“We cannot accept that access be blocked … we will not bow to violence and intimidation – our laws need to be obeyed.” (Source: Globe & Mail)