"There have been a number of stories coming out of the university and College of the North Atlantic (CONA) regarding funding levels recently," said Thistle. "The president of CONA is saying that funding cuts have hurt programming and student services in the province. At the same time, the University Senate is considering tuition hikes in the 60-80 per cent range. Government has to step in somewhere and protect students.

"The investments of the Liberal government allowed tuition cuts of 25 per cent at MUN and a tuition freeze at CONA for several years. Student leaders have applauded these initiatives in the past and are now worried about the direction of the Williams government. The government has spoken about investments in business and the future of the province but slashed the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education immediately after taking office. Investments in post-secondary education and life-long learning programs now will facilitate development of a stronger economy and work force for the future."

In their Blue Book platform to guide them through a four year term in office, the PC Party committed to maintaining the tuition freeze at MUN and CONA. It also promised to "take into account he economic circumstances of families and the relationship of tuition levels and living expenses to family incomes. When costs go up, provincial funding will be increased to mitigate the effect on students’ ability to pay" (pp. 44-45).

"I am asking the Minister to reaffirm his government’s commitment to maintaining a tuition freeze at MUN and CONA for the remaining three years of their term. The government must also live up to their commitment to providing adequate funding to these institutions so that quality education can be accessible to all students in the province. Last Spring’s budget saw a slashing of the grants provided to MUN and CONA of $2 million each and this is simply not sustainable."