Algonquin Students Deserve Support, Not Cuts

OTTAWA - Chandra Pasma, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, made the following statement regarding the news that the Algonquin College Centre for Accessible Learning is laying off academic counsellors and replacing them with lower paid support staff who do not have the same qualifications:

“Hot on the heels of the announcement that another 30 academic programs will be cut this year, we’re now seeing cuts to supports that students with disabilities depend on. Week by week, we are seeing Algonquin students and young people in Ottawa losing opportunities to set them up for success and transition into our local economy.

Ontario is now providing $7,700 less per student than the national average. Doug Ford can’t seriously underfund postsecondary education year after year and pretend that programs and supports will continue untouched. His policies are harming our local economy, with key sectors saying they don’t know where they will now find trained workers, and they’re harming our students, who now more than ever deserve training that will connect them with good jobs.

We need Doug Ford to step up with sustainable and sufficient funding that will stabilize our postsecondary sector, ensure that much-needed local programs continue, and every student receives the support they need to succeed.”