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2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada
Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies
G21-P034 Universal Access to Post-Secondary Education
Submitter Name
Jessica Hamilton
Ratification Vote Results: Adopted
Proposal
In recognition that education is a fundamental right, access to which is necessary for dignified employment, civil literacy and social inclusion, be it resolved that the Green Party of Canada supports the creation of a universal post-secondary education system, accessible to every person regardless of ability to pay.
Objective
Given that the high cost of tuition, combined with record student debt, has deepened inter-generational inequality; that access to education is a fundamental right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and necessary for dignified employment and civil literacy, post-secondary education must be made universally accessible.
Benefit
Universal post-secondary education creates access to the education needed to ‘enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society’. It creates well-educated citizens, more likely to be involved in supporting other common goods such as gender equality, climate action and social inclusion. It also promotes greater social mobility and equality.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
N/A
Green Value(s)
Sustainability, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity.
Relation to Existing Policy
Add to current GPC policy.
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3 comments
Is this intended to be free education but to offer other means such as grants to enable all to have access to further education? How would people be evaluated to qualify? How would educational institutions make up the funding they now get from fees and tuition?
"universal access" and "universally accessible" need further details to be believable. There's more at stake than just attendance at a post-secondary institution : Financed by what level(s) of government? What kinds of expenses should be covered - just tuition for instruction/mentoring/coaching? or room/board/transportation? or fees for services/activities? Who qualifies to attend? 'Accessible' for how long and how many degrees/certificates?
This proposal would be a clear and strong policy. Putting the details into the policy, such as letting post-secondary institutions continue to apply admission standards, would presumably follow—for instance, if the policy becomes part of an election platform.
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