Comments on: Online town hall: Issues facing Canada’s youth

By: Rob P

Rob P — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:22:29 +0000

University is expensive but some consider it to be a necessary tool. Canada has very low costs compared to a lot of countries in the world, but we also have high costs compared to some too. One thing that is really important is that larger research universities need so much money to conduct their programs, and attract world class professors. However, if they receive less and less money from the federal government every year they really don’t have much choice but to raise fees to keep spending level. This means the same amount of money is being spend but the burden is transferred from the federal government and provincial governments to the students. I think if you are talking about public universities that government funding needs to be in place as well as the universities should have to open up their books to oversight. I can only speak to the Manitoba universities and the information that is released from those universities shows the university administrators are very well within 6 figure salaries and some of their roles are strictly ceremonial. I’m sure this is like that everywhere, but if the government is contributing tax dollars to the schools I think that that money should go directly to supporting all students in the form of lowering tuition, instead of these well above normal raises for the elite policy makes at the schools. A reduction of these salaries won’t solve the problems at all but it’s the principal that I think students don’t agree with.

This is more provincial territory than it is federal but Manitoba has a program where if you stay in Manitoba after you graduate for so many years you can get 60% of eligibility tuition back on income tax returns. I think this is a great program and should possible be looked at by all provinces. The federal government should not assist, unless they financially help the provincial governments, because the provinces need this power in order to keep the students they helped pay for to stay in their province and give back to that province in the form of work in trade for educational reimbursements.

Canada can help by making changes to the student loans programs that could help
students by creating incentives or by partnering with the provinces to help finance programs like the one I just discussed but I do think this problem should be tackled by the provinces.

Sophie what province are you from? Are you aware of a program like this and do you agree that that may be a solution, or at least maybe a start to one?

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:01:32 +0000

I wasn’t able to see this live but I think it was a great idea and maybe this shoudl become a regular thing, even beyong the context of Canada 150. Great to see Justion bring a youth to the table to go along with the expirence of the others. Great idea. Nice to see the party thinking forward and loved how there was no attacks to anyone in this, I like problem solving better than figner pointing. Very good guys and gals keep up the good work.

By: Andy Klimach

Andy Klimach — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:54:43 +0000

This program could be designed as a field trip of sorts, say for 5 days to a week and be in partnership, though totally federally funded, with the provinces. There would obviously have to be a major focus on history as well, to make this sort of adventure even more worthwhile. I am sure that with such a program many more Canadians would grow up knowing their country, having more appreciation for Canadian culture/ institutions and help to provide a more diverse pool of candidates for the public service.

By: “I’ve Got Your Policy Right Here.” – Michael Ignatieff (Part 2.) « The Equivocator

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:49:36 +0000

[...] Conversations: One where Mr. Ignatieff took questions on Canadian democracy, a second with Mr. Ignatieff and Bob Rae on Foreign Policy and a third with the dreamy Michael Ignatieff and the equally dream Justin Trudeau on engaging young [...]

By: Andy Klimach

Andy Klimach — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:48:35 +0000

I would be thrilled to see a program that gets more students from across the country to Ottawa. This could be aimed at giving students (high school) a more hands on experience with the capital and the functions of the federal government. It is also a great place to develop social responsibility, citizenship and national pride.

By: Leo Biblitz

Leo Biblitz — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:04:43 +0000

The unfairness of the WCB process is not that well known, unfortunately, esp to those first making a claim, the time when they would most benefit from legal rep’n, which the WCB and labor unions wrongly and wrongfully discourage. Too often, people hoping to avoid a legal bill don’t realize how much cheaper and easier it is to win at first instance than it is to appeal – to their peril.

The other issue here is that when workers’ claims are wrongly and wrongfully denied, those who are unable to appeal or succeed on appeal (appeals are notoriously onerous) or return to work are forced onto the public rolls. I get e-mails from people all the time who are shocked to find themselves suddenly at risk of homelessness! If the WCB system is moving people from the private to the public rolls, all taxpayers have an interest worthy of protection!

By: Ivan Merrow

Ivan Merrow — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:01:55 +0000

Why doesn’t my MP do this?

By: NIcole

NIcole — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:24:57 +0000

It’s not just in the House of Commons, it’s in your riding associations. I don’t think you’ll find many associations where women account for half the Executive and the secretary is a man.

By: Sophie Geffros

Sophie Geffros — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:09:21 +0000

Young people hear constantly, form politicians, from the media, and from their teachers, about the need for a good education. However, many people who are otherwise able to attend post-secondary school are prevented form doing so because of the riding costs and because they lack a desire to take ont he crippling debt loads modern education seems to require. Do any of you have any thoughts on possible solutions?

By: HELENA SZCZESNIAK

HELENA SZCZESNIAK — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Protect young people from injuries and ensure fairness in processing the WCB claims including back to work assessments, retraining, and safety training. There are more than enough arguments that WCBs across Canada are extremely unfair to the injured pushing this population of Canadians to extreme poverty.