Government of Alberta unveils new legislation to improve post-secondary affordability for students

SU Staff - Mon Oct 29, 2018

Edmonton, AB (October 29, 2018) – The University of Alberta Students’ Union is pleased to see the Government of Alberta move towards a more sustainable, affordable model for tuition at post-secondary institutions across the province.

This afternoon, Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt introduced Bill 19, “An Act to Improve the Affordability and Accessibility of Post Secondary Education,” in the Alberta Legislature.

When passed, Bill 19 will have numerous benefits for students at the University of Alberta and other post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The proposed legislation will grant the Minister of Advanced Education the ability to regulate tuition and mandatory non-instructional fees for both domestic and international students. The Government of Alberta proposes to cap each institution’s average tuition fee increases to the Consumer Price Index, provide more predictability for international students, and ensure students have a voice in determining mandatory non-instructional fees.

“These new protections for both international and domestic students will help build an affordable, predictable and accessible tuition model,” said Reed Larsen, president of the University of Alberta Students’ Union. “We’re pleased to see that the Government of Alberta has been so receptive to our concerns, and has tabled a bill that will have a positive impact on students at the University of Alberta and across the province.”

The new tuition framework is slated to take effect in 2020. In the meantime, the Government of Alberta has announced that they will be renewing the tuition freeze for one final year.

“We’ve been advocating to the government on this issue for years, and we’re very happy with the legislation they’ve put forward,” said Adam Brown, the University of Alberta’s Vice-President External. “This will go a long way to addressing student concerns about tuition increases.”

The SU is the official body that represents the nearly 30,000 undergraduate students at the University of Alberta. It acts as a strong advocate for students both on campus and at all levels of government.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Alix Kemp
External Communications & Media Advisor
University of Alberta Students’ Union
780-492-4241
ecma@su.ualberta.ca

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