Stiles challenges Ford to reverse OSAP cuts and restore opportunities for Ontario students

QUEEN’S PARK — Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, is bringing forward solutions to save OSAP and keep young people and their families out of debt.

Stiles is introducing an Opposition Day motion to reverse Ford’s cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and scrap the interest on student loans to ensure that young people can get ahead:

"Ontario’s next generation is stuck in Doug Ford’s vicious cycle of fewer opportunities, sky high rents, and rising costs,” said Stiles. “Instead of investing in Ontario’s future, Ford is forcing young people to choose between their future and a lifetime debt sentence.

“High school students are being forced to turn down their dream offers, families are worried about their future, and young people already in college or university are wondering if they need to drop out.

“This motion is the urgent first step to give students and families immediate relief and stability. Once we reverse these cuts and scrap all interest on student loans, we’re going to keep fighting for more supports to make education more affordable, converting loans to grants, extended grace periods, and other measures to make post-secondary education truly affordable and accessible for all.

“Young people across Ontario are making it clear: they won’t give up their future without a fight. Neither will we. This is why we’re calling on the Ford government to reverse the OSAP cuts and remove interest on student loans."

“After years of cuts, this government has turned OSAP from a lifeline into a debt sentence that leaves students and their families on the hook,” said MPP Peggy Sattler (London West), Shadow Minister for Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “At a time when Ontario should be investing in the next generation, Ford is making it nearly impossible for students to access education and build a future here at home.”

“We know that tuition is already too expensive for so many students and their families,” added Stiles. “Reversing these cuts and removing interest is the first step towards bringing a better future within reach for young people. But the fight doesn’t end here.

"It’s time for Ford to do the right thing. Reverse these cuts and remove the interest, so students aren’t buried in decades of debt.”

BACKGROUND:

• Stiles’ motion calls on the government to restore the maximum proportion of Ontario Student Assistance Program grants to 85% and remove interest from all new and existing Ontario Student Assistance Program loans.