NANAIMO – New Democrat advanced education critic David Eby is Nanaimo today, meeting with students and faculty at Vancouver Island University as part of a province-wide advanced education tour.

“The cost of education and growing student debt are serious challenges facing today’s students,” said Eby. “This tour is about getting into the province’s diverse communities and learning first-hand about the challenges students face so that I can bring those concerns back to the legislature and fight for improvements to post-secondary education.”

Eby’s stop in Nanaimo marks the second week of his month-long tour of the province. During the tour, Eby will meet with student unions, faculty associations and university presidents to discuss issues related to advanced education.

“I’m particularly excited to be at Vancouver Island University to learn about the progress the school has made in making education more accessible. I think they’ve shown real leadership in their decision to provide free education to people who have come out of the foster care system. These are the kinds of initiatives that can lead to constructive changes.”

B.C.’s New Democrats are pushing the B.C. Liberal government for more affordable post-secondary education, including creating a non-repayable student grant program.