OTTAWA--Students have graded the post-secondary education priorities of each of the parties in advance of the May 2 federal election. The New Democrats and Liberals scored above average, and "A" and "B" respectively. Unfortunately, the Conservatives need to study harder, as they received an "F" in the Canadian Federation of Students' 2011 Political Party Report Card. Luckily they have a week to improve their grade by improving their platform.

"The parties that received the highest grades were the ones whose priorities reflect students' call for a national vision for post-secondary education and have a strategy to address student debt," said Dave Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "The NDP and Liberals have proposals to make education more affordable, while the Conservatives fall far behind."

The Political Party Report Card provides an overview and analysis of the post-secondary education platforms of the five top Canadian political parties. Each party was graded in six categories:
- National vision and funding of post-secondary education
- Student debt
- Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education
- Research and Innovation
- Measuring Success
- Copyright Reform

"The Conservative Party, despite having made substantial investments while in government, has not made post-secondary education a priority in this election," added Molenhuis. "This report card provides students and their families with detailed information on where the parties stand on post-secondary education."

The 2011 Political Party Report Card can be downloaded from www.VoteEducation.ca. Grades can be reassessed based on any announced platform changes. This will be reflected in a statement by the Federation and website update.

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation, uniting more than one-half million students in all ten provinces. The Canadian Federation of Students and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.