VICTORIA—A new report examining the state of advanced education in British Columbia shows that the Campbell government has the wrong priorities on post-secondary education, New Democrat Advanced Education critic Rob Fleming said today.

“The Campus 2020 report is completely at odds with the Campbell government’s actions on post-secondary education,” said Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Hillside. “The report talks about the need to improve access for B.C. students, but the B.C. Liberals have done the exact opposite. They have created significant barriers for students, by hiking tuition fees and cutting student grants.

“It shows British Columbians once again that the Campbell government can’t be trusted to build a quality post-secondary education system that is accessible to all,” said Fleming.

Since 2001, the B.C. Liberals removed the tuition freeze and gutted student grants, putting education out of reach for many low and middle-income students. B.C. tuition fees are now 15 percent higher than the Canadian average. And the average student debt for a four-year program is $27,000, nearly $10,000 higher than under the previous NDP government.

Fleming added that before the Campbell government addresses recommendations in the Campus 2020 report, they must first act to improve conditions for the students of ‘Campus 2007.’

“The Campbell government hired a former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister to talk about the future of post-secondary education in British Columbia,” said Fleming. “Meanwhile, they ignore the problems plaguing our system today – problems caused by B.C. Liberal policies.

“The Campbell government should be investing in post-secondary education. They should provide relief for working families, who are coping with higher than ever tuition fees. And they should be reduce barriers to advanced education, not increase them.

“This B.C. Liberals have failed to make these items a priority – another missed opportunity to help B.C.’s working families,” said Fleming.