Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government’s failure to properly fund the postsecondary system is causing institutions to look at charging students non tuition-related fees of $500 or more to fill their financial shortfalls. 

In Alberta, however, students already have the third highest tuition in the country according to Stats Canada.

To the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology: can the minister explain why he thinks students should do the job of this government, which is to provide sustainable funding for the postsecondary education system?

Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, postsecondary education in the province of Alberta is a partnership between the taxpayer and the students. We have always maintained that an investment in one’s future is an investment in education, probably the best investment they’re going to make in their lifetime. So it’s a partnership. I would say that the CPI cap, which we talked about, is a good way to move forward. Other provinces are removing their caps. We’re keeping ours. I would say that in my discussions with the students over the course of this week as it relates to ancillary fees, we’re going to continue that discussion.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Why doesn’t the minister move to provide sensible regulations for mandatory fees by limiting the amount that fees can be increased, requiring consultation with students, and ensuring that students aren’t being charged extra fees for basic educational services?

Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m surprised that the hon. member isn’t listening to what the students probably have told him. We met just the other day, and we talked about that very thing. We are looking at and discussing with postsecondaries how we might be able to deal with one-time issues around IT costs, around various things that aren’t necessarily with regard to instruction but might be something that the institution might want to look at in terms of its fixed assets or in terms of supports for students.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Chase: Thank you. I met with the students this morning, and one of their concerns was having a referendum on all increases so that students would actually have a say in their fees.

Will the minister admit that his government’s tuition cap policy is meaningless if institutions can simply raise noninstructional fees by unlimited amounts?

Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, currently there are regulations in place that do limit some of the noninstructional fees that institutions can levy. We are, as I said, working with the students and the postsecondary institutions to talk about how we might build some fences, if you will, around things that are outside of those regulations. To suggest that we’re moving away from the policy that we’ve had before is ridiculous.

Alberta Hansard, March 16, 2010

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