Students Lobby Government for Investments in Post-Secondary

VICTORIA—This week, student representatives from across BC travelled to Victoria to highlight to government decision makers the critical need for investment in the province’s post-secondary sector.  

The BC Federation of Students’ annual Advocacy Week took place from October 21 to 23, featuring student voices representing 14 students’ unions and over 170,000 students in BC. Representatives met with 40 Ministers and MLAs, reiterating their ask for post-secondary public funding to return to at least 75% of operating budgets as cuts continue at institutions across the province.

“It’s vital the government addresses the chronic underfunding that has produced a sector-wide crisis,” said Debi Herrera Lira, Chairperson of the BC Federation of Students (BCFS). “While institutions struggle to balance their budgets, more and more staff and faculty are being laid off, campus services are shrinking, and programs continue to be cut. The situation is endangering students’ ability to succeed, graduate and build the strong workforce BC needs.”

80 programs have now been cut, suspended or paused across the province. The cuts are directly linked to a loss of international student tuition, as the federal government’s cap on international study permits, which began in January 2024, has meant international enrolment has rapidly fallen. However, it is the provincial government that has left institutions reliant on this unstable revenue stream. In 2000, public funding made up 68% of institutional revenue, today it only accounts for 40%.

As well as advocating for stable and sufficient public funding, students presented government with an ask to strengthen and expand the Tuition Limit Policy. The 2% cap on domestic tuition is under threat as institutions, rapidly losing tuition revenue and receiving insufficient public funding to make up their losses, try to download more costs onto students and their families in the form of ancillary fees.

“Students can’t afford to spend any more than they already are, especially on fees for significantly reduced services and less course sections,” said Herrera Lira. “British Columbians are struggling to make ends meet. The government has a responsibility to close the loopholes in the Tuition Limit Policy and provide the operational funding that institutions require.”

Long waitlists for required courses due to cuts to course sections has already led to students delaying graduation. If tuition or ancillary fees rise any higher, the government risks students not being able to afford to finish their studies, which would mean fewer nurses, teachers, tradespeople, creatives and public servants.

“We’re advocating for a strong and stable public post-secondary system because it’s the foundation of BC’s success,” added Herrera Lira. “Institutions train our future workers and sustain our rural communities, but they can only continue to do so if they have the public funding they need. It’s time for the government to reinvest in post-secondary education.”