HALIFAX--Students are questioning the necessity of appointing an external consultant to further evaluate Nova Scotia's universities. Earlier today, the government announced that former Bank of Montreal executive vice-president Tim O'Neil would be undertaking a review of post-secondary education in the province.

"There is not a lot of new ground to break in this area, the research has already been done," said Kaley Kennedy, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Nova Scotia. "In this economic climate, we need the government to deliver, not defer to outside consultants."

Despite the current tuition fee freeze, Nova Scotia has the second highest fees in Canada. Prior to this year, students in Nova Scotia paid the highest fees for two decades, resulting in the highest average student debt in the country at almost $30,000. Per student funding for post-secondary education is still below the national average.

Last week students delivered a petition signed by nearly 3,000 Nova Scotians to Premier Darrell Dexter today calling on his government to increase funding for post-secondary education, reduce tuition fees for all students and increase grants for students. In addition, polling has consistently shown that Nova Scotians' support reduced tuition fees and increased non-repayable financial assistance.

"The benefits of post-secondary education and the best methods of improving quality and access have already been presented to numerous Nova Scotia governments," continued Kennedy. "Students will be happy to share these ideas once again, this time with Mr. O'Neil"