The province’s plans to give every College student caught up in the recent faculty strike $500 dollars is being called a joke by the opposition.
The money is to help students offset unexpected expenses caused by the strike or changes in semesters.
NDP critic Peggy Sattler says it’s not enough compensation.
“For a student going to college anywhere in Ontario, but especially in Toronto, a $500 hardship rebate doesn’t even cover a month’s rent,” says Sattler. “Add rent onto additional child care cost, lost hours of work, textbooks that may barely be used, penalties for cancelling flights home and the many other out-of-pocket expenses that students have incurred in over the last five weeks, and $500 becomes more of a joke than a solution for some students.”
Advanced Education Minister Deb Matthews says in certain circumstances, colleges have discretion to grant more.
“Every college has established a dedicated fund to support students for additional costs that they incur as a result of the strike; for many students, those courses will go into January,” says Matthews. “There will be additional costs borne by students, and this fund has been established. In certain circumstances, colleges have discretion to grant more than that. In addition, for students currently receiving OSAP, OSAP will be extended to help them if the course goes longer — if the program goes longer into January.”
Students who opted to withdraw from College will also receive full refunds on their tuition.