Hundreds of students and protesters converged on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature on Wednesday, rallying against the provincial government's recent changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
The revision to the program under Premier Doug Ford’s government will restructure the grant allocation amount.
Under the new policy, non-repayable grant funding will be drastically reduced for students. Grants will now be capped at 25 per cent, down from 85 per cent in previous years.
The Queen’s Park protest drew hundreds of impassioned students, rallying together for one cause: the right to accessible, affordable education.
Protesters raised hand-made signs and chanted in unison.
Blaring cheers of “We win when we fight,” and “The students united will never be defeated,” roared across the lawn of Queen’s Park.
Protest leaders took the stage, energizing the crowd as drums bashed and megaphones boomed.
Others clutched baskets as a nod to Ford’s comment about students taking fewer “basket-weaving courses” in defence of his OSAP changes.
Opposition parties also stood near, speaking to concerned students and supporting the cause.
Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, said Ford’s policy decision will severely affect students.
Ontario has the lowest investment in post-secondary education and the highest youth unemployment rate, Stiles said. She said it is essential to invest in our education system.
“We need to invest in our post-secondary institutions,” she said. “It's what we do to keep our province strong, to keep our economy going. It's absolutely essential.”
Stiles said equipping our country with the best educated workforce is paramount to strengthening our economy.
She said the OSAP cuts came at an inopportune time as the cost of living continues to rise in the province and students face additional financial barriers.
Jennifer French, New Democratic Party MPP for Oshawa, said she was inspired by the student movement at the legislature and said students will make Ontario better.
As a former teacher, French wanted to stand alongside students and show her support.
“I will fight until the end for strong, well-funded education, because it's not just about the youth of the future, it's about all of our future,” she said. “We want a strong Ontario.”
French said protesters are making their voices heard to the provincial government.
“They're sending a fantastic, loud, strong message. I think Doug Ford and the PC government have quietly underestimated them, and they can't do that after today,” French said.
Jamie West, New Democratic Party MPP for Sudbury, said students don't deserve to graduate with a mountain of debt.
West said this issue was personal for him. Raised by a single mother, West was the first in his family to attend post-secondary school.
“Without a doubt, I wouldn't have the job I have today or any of the jobs I've had in the past if it weren't for an opportunity to go to school,” he said. “I believe in my heart, we should not make it harder for people to have that opportunity.”
Like West, Ford’s OSAP cuts were deeply personal for many.
As students chanted and cheered for hours into the afternoon, the protest served as a reminder that education should not hinder a young person’s livelihood before it begins.
Stiles wanted to remind students to keep fighting for their education.
“Do not give up. Do not get frustrated,” she said. “We need to stand together.”
