Tuition fees in Canadian universities are at an all-time high. This has resulted in many students who are underprivileged missing out on post-secondary studies as they are unable to afford the tuition fees. Bilan Arte, the National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students, in her Huffington Post article reviews this issue in detail and expresses why post-secondary education must be strengthened and defended, like all public services. (p.19).In the author’s view, the high tuition fees are as a result of the politicians’ promotion of tax cuts in the late 20th century. This reduction in taxes goes to benefit big corporations whose taxes have been greatly reduced at the cost of provision of a post-secondary education for the less privileged students such as; international, indigenous, and other students who face unique challenges.
I could not agree with the author more strongly. The right to a higher education regardless of the race, gender, and even more importantly; the economic status should be availed to every student without fail.
Body
Gone are the days when one could afford the college or university costs by a summer job. (P.17). Following the 1980s and 1990s politicians’ move to cut down the tax, funds to public services were reduced. This led the universities to increase the tuition fees so as to cover the lost government funding and this has seen tuition fees triple by 2015 (p.12). This goes without saying that the post-secondary education system is broken, and must be changed. (p.16). Therefore, changes need to be made in the post-graduate education system so as to solve this problem.
Ethos
Bilan went through a hard economic time in her post-secondary studies. Her interest in student politics was born of necessity in 2010 when she signed up for a student day of action for lower tuition fees in 2010 just for a free hot dog for her starving stomach. (p.17). As the national chairperson of Canadian Federation of Students, she resolved to join other students in Quebec, Chile, Germany, and the United States in student activism for free tuition (p.18).
Pathos
Born to Somalian refugee parents, Arte experienced the effect of the high tuition fees firsthand. After her high school, she was the primary breadwinner for her family (p.4). By luck, she managed to secure a scholarship at University of Manitoba(p.5). However, the scholarship did not cover any other costs besides the tuition. She, therefore, had to juggle and balance between a full-time job and her studies. This is just but one example of what underprivileged students go through in their post-secondary education as a result of the huge sums of money payable by students in the name of tuition fees. Even worse, the high tuition fees have led to the shattering of students’ and their families dreams as they come to terms that they cannot afford education(p.20)
Logos
A lot of money in Canada remains uncollected with the Panama Papers estimating around $8 billion loss in federal tax revenue. At the same time, a reported $680 billion surplus budget sits at the hands of Canadian corporations. (p.13). All this is as a result of the reduced tax levels which benefit these corporations while students continue to struggle to afford tuition fees. If these amounts were to be collected by the government, it would be possible to fund public activities and eliminate tuition fees. (p.14)
Critical analysis I
Appeal: The government should, through the politicians, increase the allocation for public funding by increasing taxes, so as to reduce tuition fees.
Tax rates are at the lowest level they have ever been since 1946.(p.11). Canadian corporations benefit greatly from the almost half the tax rate imposed on their operations. Panama Papers suggest that up to $8 billion of federal tax remains uncollected every year due to the subsidized taxes. (p.13). At the same time, tax cuts translate into a reported $680+ billion in surplus for Canadian corporations.
These amounts, if collected, would make it possible fund public services, restore treaty promises to indigenous nations, create future job opportunities, and more importantly eliminate tuition fees (p.14) thus providing all the students with an equal right to post-secondary education. Since colleges and universities and colleges increase the tuition fees mainly to cover for the operating costs, additional funding from the government would see the reduction in the tuition fees and if the funding is enough, the provision of free tuition.
Critical Analysis II
Appeal: Reduction of post-secondary system executive compensation.
University presidents earn double or triple the Provincial Premiers compensation. A total sum of $3.1 million went to a small group of “asset management” team from the University of Toronto (p.15).
With this money, tuition fees for college students in the Yukon and Northwest Territories could be eliminated.
Critical Analysis III
Appeal: Creation of a progressive payment tuition program
The current tuition system operates as a flat tax system, where everyone, despite their financial capabilities pays the same amount of tuition fees. (p.8).
This approach is somewhat unfair since the students who come from economically challenged families are unable to pay the high tuition fees as those from privileged backgrounds. The tuition system should, therefore, consider the amount a student is able to raise for their fees.
Conclusion
Unlike what many experts and politicians say, free tuition is a good idea that should be embraced in Canada. (p.1). Post-secondary education is required for a decent job and a just society.(p.19) The currently, all-time-high tuition fees goes against these goals and lack of proper political leadership is to blame for this. The increase in tuition fees is as a result of the promotion of tax cuts that were promoted by the politicians in the 1980s and 1990s. Therefore, these changes in the current system need to be made; increase in public spending, reduction of executive compensation, and establishment of a progressive payment structure. The right to a higher education regardless of the race, gender, and even more importantly; the economic status should be availed to every student without fail.
Reference
Arte Bilan. (2016, October 17). It's Time For Canada To Embrace Free Tuition. Retrieved on April 18, 2018 from https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/bilan-arte/the-case-for-free-tuition_b_12516930.html
