Student Leaders Take to the Hill -- Urge Government to Reinvest in Post-Secondary Education and Support Students

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - February 23, 2016) -  The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is proud to bring together close to 60 student leaders, representing over 300,000 post-secondary students from across the country to Ottawa as a united front, collectively pushing for further investments in higher education and increased support for students.

Removing financial barriers to post-secondary education and making it accessible to all Canadians is central to CASA's mandate. "We are here this week urging our newly formed government to keep its promise and make post-secondary education more affordable," said Erik Queenan, Board Chair for CASA.

Delegates will meet with over 150 Members of Parliament and Senators to address 6 advocacy priorities selected by its membership:

• Increase funding to the Canada Student Grants Program and expand it to graduate students who are currently ineligible;
• Raise the weekly loan limit of the Canada Student Loans Program from $210 to $245;
• Ease the burden of student debt via the Repayment Assistance Plan;
• Address the post-secondary attainment gap amongst Canada's Aboriginal population;
• Increase government-funded support in research and innovation via the tri-council granting agencies;
• Expand compensated experiential learning opportunities through proper workplace standards. 

"This government made significant commitments to young Canadians on October 19^th. Students ask that it uphold its engagements by supporting much-needed employment opportunities and address current shortfalls in our higher education system," added Queenan.

About CASA 

Established in 1995, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit national student organization composed of 21 student associations representing 250,000 post-secondary students from coast to coast. CASA advocates for a Canadian post-secondary education system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality.