Do B.C. political parties' education promises make the grade?

By Shamus Reid

As final exams wrap up for B.C.’s university and college students, the pressure is now on for B.C.’s political parties to make the grade. The outcome of the election will have a major impact on the future of British Columbia’s university and college system. Each party has a very different vision for education, which in turn would (directly or indirectly) affect the lives of every citizen in the province.

What follows is an abridged report card on the postsecondary education policies proposed by the Liberals, Greens, and NDP.

B.C. Liberal Party

Tuition fees: F

The Campbell Liberals’ failed experiment with tuition fee deregulation in their first mandate choked off access to education during a time when the global economy has increasingly demanded an educated workforce.

By the time tuition fees were re-regulated in 2005, the damage had been done. B.C.’s tuition fees have more than doubled from 2002, and are now well above the national average. The Liberals’ platform commitment to continue to annually increase fees by inflation is unsustainable.

Financial aid: D

After the Liberal government eliminated the B.C. Grants program, B.C. fell to dead last nationwide in the provision of grants and loan forgiveness. The Liberal platform offers nothing new beyond vague references to “time-limited tuition assistance” to unemployed workers.

Funding: F

Since the Campbell Liberals have been in power, per-student operating funding has declined by 14 percent when accounting for inflation. Worse, the B.C. Liberal platform exaggerates their funding contribution to universities and colleges by over $2.5 billion!

The Liberal platform would increase operating funding by less than 1.5 percent over two years, resulting in a substantial reduction to per-student funding as enrolment and annual costs increase at universities and colleges. At a critical time for B.C.’s economy, a freeze on education spending is unacceptable.

Green Party of B.C.

Tuition fees: Incomplete *

The Green party platform commits to an immediate 20 percent reduction in tuition fees for fall 2009 with no commitment beyond the first year.

There is also a commitment to refund tuition fees for degree-holders who live and work in B.C. for five years after graduation. This policy would be impractical to implement, and tying debt relief to employment is a “work-fare” scheme that limits the mobility of students with debt, who are typically from lower income backgrounds. This proposal would exclude students whose graduate studies opportunities are outside B.C., who could not find suitable employment in their field in B.C., and students who have any number of other personal and family responsibilities.

Financial aid: F

No mention in platform.

Funding: Incomplete *

The Green party pledges to “increase funding to post-secondary institutions to improve service levels, provide new equipment and maintain infrastructure”. Without a budget for this expenditure, there is little to hold the Green party accountable.

* Note: the Green party makes numerous promises in its platform, many of which would require a massive public expenditure, but provides no budget. There is therefore no mechanism to judge the relative feasibility of the Green party promises (compared to other parties) and no grades can be assigned to the proposed policies.

B.C. New Democratic Party

Tuition fees: C

The NDP caucus protested tuition fee increases each year under the Liberal government, but the NDP’s platform only commits to a four-year tuition fee freeze, effectively signing off on eight years of tuition fee increases.

Financial aid: A

In 2004, the B.C. Liberal government eliminated the B.C. Grants program, one of the best financial aid programs in Canada. The NDP has committed to restoring the grants program, a critical step to reduce student debt.

The platform also commits to reducing the provincial student loan interest rate by 1.25 percent.

Funding: B

The NDP’s platform commits to reversing the Liberals’ 2.6 percent funding cut from 2008. Re-investing money in the postsecondary system could help institutions hire instructors and bring back programs that were cut. The NDP has also committed to fully funding the promised tuition fee freeze, ensuring that quality of education would be maintained.

Shamus Reid is chair of the Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia. A broader policy analysis can be found at www.voteeducation.ca/.