QUEBEC – Education Minister Line Beauchamp proposed a new student aid policy Thursday to meet objections to a planned $1,625 tuition hike over five years.
The new plan calls for the repayment of student loans proportionate to the income of graduates.
The Quebec government is sticking to the tuition hike of $325 a year, Beauchamp said, but she recognizes the argument by opponents that increased fees could discourage students from pursuing their higher eduction.
Provincial Finance Minister Raymond Bachand announced details of the plan, which would extend student bursaries as well and allow students with annual family income over $60,000 to borrow under the aid program.
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An estimated 200,000 university and college students across the province have been on strike, boycotting classes and demonstrating, some for as long as two months.
The changes in student aid would cost $21 million over five years, with the money coming from provincial grants to Quebec universities.
“The government of Quebec is firm and convinced that students should pay their fair share,” Beauchamp told reporters, rejecting students’ calls for a freeze on current fees or free tuition.
Beauchamp said the proposals address the argument of access to higher education.
She said the improvements would be a “a gain for many students and their families.”
And she appealed to student leaders to allow entry to classes for students who want to return “without intimidation.”
Beauchamp said the striking student associations should allow secret ballot votes to end the strike.
“The debate now is in the student community,” the minister said.
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