Many of you will remember how, in the last election, we had to fight together to protect your right to vote when my opponent (the previous MP) tried to close down the polling stations here on campus. We won that fight, and with the help of thousands of students, I won the election. I have been able to give voice to your concerns in Ottawa, and stand up to the Harper Conservatives as part of Jack Layton’s NDP.
While students have fought to make their voices heard, Stephen Harper has managed to tune you out entirely. Consider his record: environmental degradation, marching in lockstep with Bush’s foreign policy, reckless and unregulated oil sands development, harmful immigration policies, brutal cuts to women’s programs and arts and culture, no response to Toronto’s needs, and, of course, as you all know—no relief for skyrocketing tuition fees or crushing student debt. While students and families are bearing the brunt and too many young people can’t afford to attend university, Harper has doled out billions of dollars in tax giveaways to corporations and wealthy speculators.
Harper made lots of promises to invest in higher education in the last election—but delivered next to nothing. As a share of GDP, federal investment in education is 40 per cent lower than it was 15 years ago. To be fair, that’s not all Harper’s fault—the Liberals helped, with over a decade of rising tuition fees and falling support, starting in the 1990s. After they lost the last election, they abdicated their responsibility as official opposition; Liberal MPs sat on their hands, refused to vote against the Harper agenda, and let bad legislation pass 43 times. I am very proud that the New Democrats had the guts to stand up to Harper every day—we voted against the Harper agenda 43 times. Jack Layton showed leadership against the odds in a minority Parliament, and pursued important policies including his Kyoto initiative, and the crafting and tabling of a groundbreaking Canada Post Secondary Education Act.
New Democrats see students as more than economic units, designed to juggle personal debts (averaging more that $25,000 by the time they graduate). We understand that investing in education is investing in the future of Canada—a crucial investment in a sound and sustainable economy. We need well-educated, creative, innovative thinkers—concerned citizens—to clean up the mess bad governments have made.
That’s why, in Ottawa, the NDP has kept education at the forefront, with our Post Secondary Education Act, a campaign to fix student aid, and a campaign to launch ”green collar” education and training initiatives.
Here are some key points from our platform—Jack Layton’s Education Opportunity Plan:
Enact the NDP’s Post Secondary Education Act that we drafted and tabled in the last Parliament
Tackle student debt with $1000 grants, payable at the beginning of the school year, to all undergrads who qualify for student loans
Boost education affordability and accessibility through dedicated funding, in concert with provinces and territories
Increase financial support for essential professionals, such as doctors and nurses;
Reform the Canada Student Loans System and provide interest relief, so you don’t have to start paying off a loan before completing your education
Increase funding for graduate studies and research—to encourage our best and brightest to stay right here.
These aren’t pie in the sky ideas. They are solid, important policy planks, and I am determined to help make them a reality.
I love this university. Reading The Varsity online when I am in Ottawa is one way of keeping in touch—with our neighbourhood, but also with the things that really matter. Students here are engaged and involved. We have marched together, campaigned together, and rallied together. Students help me, support me, challenge me, and keep me on my toes. You’ve made me a better MP and strong representative in Ottawa, and I’ll continue to make every vote in Parliament count on your behalf.
Olivia Chow is the New Democrat MP for Trinity-Spadina.
