Orazietti touts post-secondary investments

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* Provincial investments in Sault College and Algoma university strengthening local economy

New infrastructure and expanded academic programs attract more students and increase local enrolment numbers

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - The Province's investments in infrastructure and academic programs at Sault College and Algoma University since 2003 are increasing overall enrolment and attracting more students from outside the Algoma District to gain a quality education and contribute to Sault Ste. Marie's economy.

“Since 2003 we introduced and passed Bill 80 making Algoma University independent and also made historic investments of $10.3 million in the new biosciences building at Algoma University, $9.5 million in the new academic building and $4 million for the Health and Wellness Centre at Sault College, because we are committed to expanding our local postsecondary schools to support students,” said David Orazietti, Liberal candidate for Sault Ste. Marie.

“Our local college and university have been ignored by past governments for decades and did not grow, but our historic support has clearly demonstrated what can happen when a provincial government brings new and significant resources to the sector.”

First-year enrolment at Sault College has increased 5 percent, overall student enrolment has increased 30 percent and 39 percent of students are coming from outside the Algoma District to earn their education here in our community.

First-year enrolment at Algoma University has increased 21 percent and overall student enrolment has increased 10 percent as compared to last year.

The province has also funded upgrades to academic programs at Sault College, such as support for the popular aviation program that includes new classroom and training spaces, a new flight simulator, new flight tracking technology and upgrades to new radio and navigation systems.

Algoma University is experiencing significant benefits from a 150 percent increase to their operating budget, including $7.6 million in transition funding to expand high quality degree programs like the biology program and the social work program that are growing because of the province’s work in making the university independent.

The Liberal platform commits to continuing to build on these local post-secondary improvements by reducing undergraduate tuition across-the-board by 30 percent for college and university students, which is well above and far beyond what the provincial NDP and Conservatives are proposing for students.

“By reducing tuition costs by 30 percent for students at Algoma University and Sault College our platform is making local post-secondary education more affordable for students and their families,” said Orazietti. “We believe that one of Ontario’s strongest assets is its education system and our plan ensures there is space for every student that is willing and qualified.”

Starting in September 2012, full-time undergraduate students with family incomes under $160,000 will qualify for the new tuition grant that will save them $1,600 in university and $730 in college.

The tuition grant will be available every year for up to four years of an undergraduate program.

This commitment will bring average tuition in Ontario to well below the Canadian average.

The grant will be paid directly to universities and colleges and will be deducted from the tuition bill.

Students will not have to qualify for OSAP to be eligible for the new tuition grant.

These amounts are based on a 30 percent average undergraduate tuition for college and university in Ontario.

The amount of the grant will always be 30 percent of average tuition, so it will increase proportionately based on tuition cost.

Students would begin receiving the grant in January 2012, pro-rated on a half-year basis.

The new tuition grant will save each student up to $6,400 for an undergraduate university program and $2,920 for an undergraduate college program.

The provincial Liberal platform also commits to creating 60,000 new learning spaces that are in addition to the 200,000 new post-secondary education spaces created since 2003.

Over the previous eight years Ontario’s Liberals have also greatly improved access to provincial loans and grants for students by doubling student assistance supports and providing $150 grant for technology and textbooks. In contrast, the provincial NDP promised free tuition but raised tuition by 50 percent, as well as cut student grants and cut funding to universities by 5 percent and cut funding to colleges by 2 percent.

Additionally, the provincial NDP rejected Algoma University College’s application for independence and have consistently voted against important campus infrastructure projects including the new academic building at Sault College and the new bio-sciences building at Algoma University. Key Provincial investments to support Algoma University since 2003 include:

- Provincial legislation establishing Algoma University as an independent institution (Bill 80)

- $10.3 million for new Biosciences & Technology Centre

- $7.6 million for transition to independent university and to expand high quality degree programs

- $3.1 million for facility improvements and modernization

- $879,458 for research infrastructure

- $800,000 for Invasive Species Research Chair

- $518,808 for endowment foundation: Ontario Trust Program

- $295,015 for Ontario Digital Games Business Incubator

- $250,000 to develop Computer Gaming Technology Centre

- $130,833 for services for students with disabilities.

Key Provincial investments to support Sault College since 2003 include:

- $9.5 million academic building at Sault College