HALIFAX--The provincial government seems poised to cancel the tuition fee reduction promised to students last year. The government's recent warnings of reduced revenue in the coming fiscal year worry students that they could be poised to break a key election promise to Nova Scotians. The provincial government has warned Nova Scotians that they may have to cut services because of anticipated reduced equalization payments. In a recent interview, the Minister of Education stated that the government would reduce tuition fees "if the money is there."

"The government made a commitment to students and their families in last summer's election," says Nova Scotia National Representative Chris Parsons, "even if provincial revenues are slightly less than expected, they must make affordable education a priority in the upcoming budget."

Students in Nova Scotia currently pay the highest tuition fees in the country, at an average of $6,571 per year for an undergraduate degree. High tuition fees have caused students to take on an average debt load of more than $28,000. The provincial government made a commitment to reduce university tuition fees by at least $1,000 over 5 years. Despite that election promise, tuition fees increased by at least 3.9% this September, and only some students received the recent tuition fee rebate this January.

"The Progressive Conservative government has allowed tuition fees to increase by more than $2,000 during their tenure causing students to take on mortgage-sized debts upon graduation." Continued Parsons, "It appears that they are preparing students and their families for yet another broken promise."