EB, this table gives an idea of real tuition fee in some countries. Of course, when you guys talk about the Ivy league, it is one thing. But the truth of the matter is that the average annual tuition in 2008-2009 in the USA was at 6,3 K.
Education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada. Back in the sixties, in Québec, we have chosen the free education model, comparable to the one in most european countries. Some concessions were made over time, within what some consider to be a reasonable margin. It helped us to get the highest post secondary attendance in Canada today, a great contributor to Québec's vitality.
Some people say that the ones benefiting from higher education should be the ones paying for it. Others say higher education is a benefit for everybody so it is a society's duty to pay for it. As a citizen, I am willing to pay the taxes needed to have an educated youth. IMHO, it is advantageous socially, economically, culturally and fiscally.
Why is there a conflict now? Because the government is showing a clear willingness to depart from that model. Like many other citizens, I am angry that this is done without a public debate.
Education is a provincial jurisdiction in Canada. Back in the sixties, in Québec, we have chosen the free education model, comparable to the one in most european countries. Some concessions were made over time, within what some consider to be a reasonable margin. It helped us to get the highest post secondary attendance in Canada today, a great contributor to Québec's vitality.
Some people say that the ones benefiting from higher education should be the ones paying for it. Others say higher education is a benefit for everybody so it is a society's duty to pay for it. As a citizen, I am willing to pay the taxes needed to have an educated youth. IMHO, it is advantageous socially, economically, culturally and fiscally.
Why is there a conflict now? Because the government is showing a clear willingness to depart from that model. Like many other citizens, I am angry that this is done without a public debate.