The province of Newfoundland and Labrador recently abolished its student loans program in favour of a grant program - an idea that has piqued the interest of New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.
Students currently studying at university can accrue tens of thousands of dollars in student debt.
“It's something I should think more about, because right now I'm in a space of denial about the massive amount of debt I have,” says university student Zoe Luba.
Gallant says his government will consider all educational models to help ease the burden of student loans, including studying the newly implemented, non-repayable grant system adopted in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We'll look at any program that will help us ensure that post-secondary education is accessible, affordable, and high quality,” says Gallant. “In the first year of our budget, Minister Melanson has made sure that we are the government who has invested the most in education in the history of our province.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador model is being praised by student organizations across the country, with many saying that student debt needs to become an election issue.
Currently, provincial student loans in Canada cover 40 per cent of tuition. The other 60 per cent comes from the federal government.
“We're going to be doing a lot of chatting with students, getting students to vote so that students of Canada can have the biggest impact possible in this election,” says Annie Sherry, chair of the New Brunswick Student Alliance.
With an election set for October 19, political parties have two months to convince students their education plan is best.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
