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Post-sec minister visits Western

John Milloy, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, visited Western on Monday as part of a tour across Ontario.  While at Western, he sat down with campus media and talked about what was next for post secondary education.

“We’re very much more a knowledge economy, one that is focused on knowledge based jobs,” Milloy explained, adding 70 per cent of new jobs will require a credential from either a university a college or an apprenticeship. “We’re taking that very seriously.”

John Milloy

The minister explained there have been 200,000 new students accepted across the province — a figure he said is three times that of London’s entire student population. But this increase in enrollment isn’t without some drawbacks; critics have claimed the increase in enrollment has lead to Ontario funding its universities the least per student in the country.

“I really do take issue with ‘the fun with figures’,” Milloy responded. He explained the comparisons between Ontario and smaller provinces weren’t accurate. “I’m sure Western has more students than some provinces have […] I don’t think you can make those comparisons.”

Milloy also explained independent studies have shown the Ontario Student Assistance Program is one of the most generous in the country. “One thing that I’m really excited about and I’m not sure students are aware, is the repayment assistance program.”

Changes to this program included income-based repayment and having outstanding student loans dropped after 15 years. This was done as part of the $1.5 million in changes to OSAP, which were announced in March. Another change was the ability to increase the maximum textbook allowance under OSAP to match the consumer price index.

But Milloy expressed regret at the lack of changes which could be made to the Textbook and Technology Grant. “We had hoped we could increase it over a multiyear basis […] We’re going to have to continue at the $150 level.” He cited the province’s deficit as the rationale for these actions.

The province’s deficit has also been cited as the rationale behind the recent decision to freeze the salaries of public sector workers, excluding university faculty, for two years. However the province has been putting pressure on schools to do the same.

“I think what the government’s has been saying is that everyone needs to be realistic as they move forward,” Milloy explained. He felt confident both parties could reach an agreement.

James Compton, president of the University of Ontario Faculty Association, disagreed, saying the province is trying to persuade faculty associations to agree to a compensation freeze when none currently exists.

Looking forward, Milloy stated he hoped to continue his contacts with student groups because they have encouraged him to make the necessary changes.

“It’s a student business we’re dealing with,” he concluded.

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