Student leader slams Mike de Jong’s “lack of big-picture thinking” on loan debt

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      This week, B.C. finance minister Mike de Jong introduced legislation that could see ICBC refuse to renew someone's driver's licence or vehicle licence plates over unpaid government debts, including student loans.

      Bill 13—also known as the Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2015—has angered current and former students struggling with loan debts.

      Greg Atkinson, director of external relations for the University of Victoria Students' Society, responded today (February 27) in a news release:

      Minister De Jong’s proposal is punitive, short-sighted and completely misses the point that a post-secondary education in BC has become a massive debt burden to most students. Default on student debt is the symptom of a much larger problem. That problem is the high-cost of a post-secondary education – not former students trying to get out of their financial obligations. There’s a real lack of big-picture thinking on Minister De Jong’s part here.

      Atkinson also stated:

      Having to collect on unpaid student loans is the result of moving towards a user-pay model of financing education – rather than a robust publicly funded model. It’s irresponsible to fund education through debt, debt recovery, and debt write-offs. What the government really needs to do is invest in a system of upfront needs-based grants – not turn ICBC into the Repo Man. Punitive measures don’t work – support measures do.

      According to the UVic student union, B.C. charges the highest interest rates on student loans in Canada and is the only province without a needs-based grants program.

      The Alliance of British Columbia Students also chimed in. Jessica Lar-Son, ABCS chair, said in a news release:

      We as students feel that it is important not to create barriers for those who need their vehicles to get to and from work. We know how strongly government feels about promoting the transition of students into the work force. It seems counter-productive to impede students’ ability to find gainful employment by reducing their mobility. Instead, the ABCS would like to work with Government to find more effective solutions to the issues of student loan repayment.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Dr. Jack

      Feb 27, 2015 at 10:56pm

      I would love to believe that students have used the loans wisely and have troubles paying them back.

      However, last week I went one evening at UBC and walked by the pub in the campus. It was during the week and there was a long line-up outside and the space was full inside.

      Nobody appeared to have any problem, gulping the beer and spending the dough like there was tomorrow!

      I have no issue with students having a good time, bur NOT on my dime!!

      You borrow the money, please pay it back.

      As ALL of us do!

      mike s

      Feb 28, 2015 at 1:51am

      Let me get this straight Dr Jack. Are you saying that anyone who went to a pub and had a drink during the week is obviously a leech on society. Because practically every member of society, not just students, does that.

      Shouldn't we be more concerned that taking away a graduates license and insurance severely impairs their ability to do many jobs, our even look for a job to pay said debts. Is our liberal government more interested in making a permanent class of debtors for whom it is impossible to get out of debt?

      Debt Collector

      Feb 28, 2015 at 7:57am

      @mike s

      As I understand it, the license won't be issued until the debtor sets up a repayment scheme, which can be set at a very low level.

      I went through the same problems that quite a few grads do in finding work after graduation and I was able to set up a generous timetable through my bank. It was a bit tough at the beginning, but once I got steady work I was able to adjust to the monthly payments. Fortunately my degree set me at a higher than average level of pay.

      The whole idea of free university seems terribly elitist to me. There are quite a few people out there who are incapable of reaching the academic standards to be accepted into university, or have emotional or mental problems that prevent them from surviving in such a competitive, stressful environment. Why should they be discriminated against just because they may be lacking in certain areas?

      Blergh

      Feb 28, 2015 at 8:24pm

      UBC was free when it was founded. In the 1915-16 Calendar, the Government undertakes in perpetuity to fund free education. Good thing we're all illiterate now, concerned with treating education as a commodity instead of as a right. Good thing we have a human rights commission, unlike the bad old days in BC when we had free education! I mean, I'd much rather we spent money on policing comedians than on free education.

      0 0Rating: 0

      Seriously?

      Mar 1, 2015 at 9:32am

      I would argue that the students, especially those with enough ego to be "leaders," are the ones who don't see the "big picture." Being unable to figure out how to pay for school is not a sign one has a keen mind. If you are studying arts and think it is "too hard" to do that and have a job you should be learning a trade. If you can't figure out how to earn scholarships and other financial rewards to cover your education while avoiding debt your should be digging ditches.

      Education here is cheap folks and the academic entry level in low. Students who can't figure out how to afford their degree are already drones incapable of thinking and won't be missed in the academic world. When you lower the standards of public education through grade inflation you make intellectual discrimination impossible and instead the system finds another means to sort out the weak minded from those on their way to better things.

      mike s

      Mar 1, 2015 at 11:22pm

      -> Seriously
      How did you pay for your high school education? You didn't have to because it was provided to you for free.
      But a century ago that high school level education would have cost soo much that only the elite could afford it. But through struggle and progress we have created the free system that most people accept today.
      Some form of Post Secondary education is needed for most jobs these days. Perhaps it should be provided in the same way that high school is provided to all citizens.