VICTORIA – This afternoon, post-secondary students will gather on the lawns of the legislature to send a clear message to Christy Clark that current B.C. Liberal policies are putting higher education out of the reach of too many British Columbians. Since Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals took office in 2001, they have proven they just don’t understand that investing in higher education is investing in our future:

• TUITION UP 200 PER CENT: Tuition fees have more than doubled since the B.C. Liberals took office. Underfunding of trades and apprenticeship training has meant long waiting lists even while there is a looming trades shortage in the province. Colleges and universities across the province have had no choice but to cut programs and staff positions.

• SOARING DEBT LEVELS:Student debt levels are among the very highest in the country, averaging $27,000 for a four-year program.

• LACK OF FINANCIAL AID:Under the B.C. Liberals, British Columbia became the only province in the country to eliminate their needs-based grant program. British Columbia currently provides the least amount of student aid in the country.

• HIGH STUDENT LOAN INTEREST: At 2.5 per cent above prime, student loan interest rates in B.C. are the highest in Canada.

B.C.’s New Democrats believe that in today’s economy, brains drive change. Those who out-teach us will out-compete us. For the sake of our children and our future, B.C. cannot afford to lag behind.