VANCOUVER—CUPE members joined more than 200 supporters of public education at a rally for Quebec students yesterday. The rally was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery in solidarity with the striking students fighting tuition increases and the draconian Bill 78 against public protest. Yesterday marked the 100th day of the student strike in Quebec.
Vancouver speakers called for a stop to increases in tuition and an end to crushing student debt in Quebec and here in BC. Zach Crispin of the Canadian Federation of Students called for support of the teachers and public sector workers at the bargaining table fighting the BC Liberals to protect public services.
Student organizers pointed out that students in BC pay higher tuition than those in Quebec – almost twice as much. BC students pay an average $4,852 a year compared to $2,519 in Quebec. That figure has jumped under the BC Liberals. A tuition freeze instituted by the previous NDP government was eliminated 10 years ago by the Liberals, leading to massive increases in tuition at BC’s three major universities.
For more information: http://cupe.ca/education/offers-support-quebec-student.
