The Comox Valley Echo reports, “Students at North Island College bashed climbing student debt and tuition at rallies on all four main campuses on Wednesday, including the Comox Valley. …The students protested what they say is an unacceptable rise in student debt – approaching $15 billion in federal loans, according to the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) – as well as a lack of provincial and federal funding for post-secondary education. They claim the overall trend means reduced access to education, and an unnecessary burden on the next generation.” “Gwyn Frayne of the local chapter of the Council of Canadians said the cost of education has soared since she and her children were students. ‘Now I’m not sure that all my grandchildren will be able to go to college, and that’s not right,’ she said.” The Comox Valley Record adds, “The students weren’t alone in their rally; representatives from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Council of Canadians and the NIC Faculty Association (NICFA) spoke on students’ behalf, and a statement from North Island MLA Claire Trevena was read. Gwyn Frayne, from the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians, spoke about her post-secondary experience. ‘When I went to university I was able to cover the costs by working in the summer and over the year,’ said Frayne. ‘Now, I’m not even sure that my grandkids can go to college, and that is not right.'” Numerous Council of Canadians chapters participated in the February 1 national day of action.
