The New Brunswick government’s announcement of free tuition for middle and low-income families has some worrying they’ll actually end up paying more.
Mary-Faith Mazerolle, a parent of two high school students, says even though she and her husband are working, they won’t be able to cover their children’s tuition.
"We don't qualify. We're outside of the $60,000 wage bracket and that's very disheartening as tax payers in New Brunswick,” said Mazerolle. “Especially since my tax bracket and my husbands is going to be the ones that are paying for this program."
In an interview with CTV News, Gallant turned aside Steve Murphy’s question on whether those above the $60,000 threshold will end up paying even morefor tuition.
"As you may know, that $60,000 is a lot of money,” said Gallant to CTV News. “There's a lot of families that find themselves under the threshold of making under $60,000 annually."
Mazerolle says while her family income is over $60,000, it doesn't mean she'll be able to afford to send her children to post-secondary school.
"I invite him to come to our house and see that $60,000 isn't a lot of money," said Mazerolle.
Kris Austin, the leader of the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick, believes the province should take a step back and revisit the program before September.
"I don't think it was a thought out plan, in terms of the specifics to make sure that those who do need it qualify,” said Austin. “But at the same time, that you're not punishing those who don't fall under the program who have to pay for those who do."
The province's former finance minister Blaine Higgs says the program is nothing but a nice headline.
"What's going to happen (is) they're going to pay more taxes,” said Higgs. “And what will they do? They'll find somewhere else to live. That isn't the model we want in this province."
Meanwhile, Gallant maintains that investing in education is the key to New Brunswick’s economic future.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
