Lambton College. Gymnasium.  Blackburn News Sarnia file photo by Melanie IrwinLambton College. Gymnasium. Blackburn News Sarnia file photo by Melanie Irwin
Sarnia

Lambton College still assessing tuition cut impact

Lambton College is still assessing the impact of tuition cuts announced by the provincial government.

Doug Ford's PCs plan to decrease tuition at colleges and universities by 10 per cent for 2019-2020, and freeze tuition fees the following year.

The NDP opposition claims the changes will result in $250 million in lost revenue for post-secondary institutions, which could lead to cancelled courses, larger class sizes and laid-off faculty.

Lambton College Communications Manager Cindy Buchanan said they're still waiting for more information from the province.

"We don't have the information in terms of what the time frame is -- we know that it's been announced and we have probably the same information as the public," she said. "So we're just waiting for further information and the guidelines, but we are beginning to work on our assessment."

Along with the tuition cut, the Ontario Tories are eliminating free tuition for low-income students, and are reforming the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to ensure that grants go to families earning under $50,000 a year.

The NDP has claimed students relying on assistance will see their chances of attending a post-secondary institution diminished.

But Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton said he's not concerned about the measures preventing any prospective students from attending a college or university.

"This is going to focus on the neediest families and students in the province. Those under $50,000 should receive grants, and those families earning $175,000 should not," said McNaughton. "A couple years ago, the auditor general said that the entire OSAP program could collapse. It was financially unsustainable. The former government was giving those families earning $175,000 grants from the OSAP program -- that's ridiculous."

McNaughton said the three main changes will benefit both students and the province.

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