PCs School NDP on Supports for Manitoba Post-Secondary Students
WINNIPEG — Progressive Conservative investments are supporting post-secondary students this 2024/25 school year, despite neglect from the NDP, Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte, PC Critic for Advanced Education and Training, announced today.
“Our campuses are responsible for Manitoba’s future workforce,” said Perchotte. “We need to ensure that students are afforded the proper tools to pursue post-secondary opportunities, achieve their educational goals, and enrich our province.”
Previous PC investments are bringing many new training seats to Manitoba universities and colleges this fall. That includes expanded spots for undergraduates at Max Rady College of Medicine; doubled seats for the clinical psychology training and bachelor of respiratory therapy programs at the University of Manitoba; 16 new advanced care paramedic seats at Red River College Polytechnic; and expanded training programs for early childhood educators and child-care assistants across five institutions.
Under the NDP, Manitoba post-secondary students have already faced obstacles. In March, a mass cyberattack hit University of Winnipeg servers, stealing the private data of thousands. Now, ahead of the new semester, the Manitoba Student Aid online portal has repeatedly crashed, preventing students from receiving their loans in time.
“These are two major IT problems that affect the security of Manitoba students, both financially and in terms of their personal information,” said Perchotte. “There’s been no indication that the NDP have been working with institutions to strengthen IT networks and ensure students are protected.”
In regard to financial security, Wab Kinew in 2023 said his NDP would reassess tuition fees for the 2024/25 year. There has since been little word from Kinew or his minister, Renee Cable, Perchotte noted. In contrast, PCs increased the Manitoba Student Loan maximum benefit by 43%, helping students who are facing financial hardship and the cost-of-living crisis, as well as making Manitoba more competitive with other provinces.
“Governments should be bolstering opportunities for students, not hindering them,” said Perchotte. “PC investments are succeeding, from affordability to meeting labour market needs, while Manitobans still wait for a plan on either front from the NDP.”
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