VANCOUVER--While students in BC languish with some of the country's highest student debt, students in Newfoundland rejoiced at today's announcement that interest would be eliminated on provincial students loans. The move adds to other policies that underscore the stark difference between post-secondary education policies in Newfoundland and those in BC.

"While students and the economy of Newfoundland benefit from investment in post-secondary education, the BC government continues to price education out of reach", said Shamus Reid, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students�British Columbia. "In stark contrast to our fellow Canadians on the East Coast, BC's 2009 budget will plunge students deeper into debt."

The stark provincial policy differences include:
�FEES: In 2002 the Campbell government deregulated tuition fees, skyrocketing them from second lowest in Canada to nearly 10% above the national average. In 1999 the Newfoundland government began a sustained tuition fee freeze, punctuated by reductions, that has seen Newfoundland's tuition fees drop to second lowest in Canada, taking BC's former place.
�STUDENT AID: In 2004 the Campbell government cut the BC Grants Program, causing student debt to spike to highest in Canada outside of the Maritimes, at $27,000 upon graduation. In 2007 the Newfoundland government established a provincial grants program that has significantly reduced student debt.
�INTEREST RATES: In 2009 BC charges the highest rate of interest on student loans in the country. In its 2009 budget the Newfoundland government eliminated interest on students loans.The Canadian Federation of Students�British Columbia is BC's provincial students' organization, representing 150,000 university and college students at all levels of post-secondary education in BC. It is a non-partisan organization affiliated with Canada's largest national student organization, the Canadian Federation of Students.