OTTAWA--Tuition fees and student debt are on the rise again, highlighting the need for national legislation to ensure the quality and affordability of post-secondary education, says the Canadian Federation of Students. According to new data published today by Statistics Canada, average undergraduate tuition fees increased by 3.6% in fall 2008 despite $800 million in new federal funding to the provinces for post-secondary education.

"In the absence of a Post-Secondary Education Act, the federal government's latest education investment has had no impact for most Canadian students," said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Canadians deserve to see a benefit from these federal investments, but without legislation similar to the Health Act, federal post-secondary education funding is going to waste."

Health care-another shared jurisdiction-is partially funded by the federal government and guided by the Canada Health Act, which provides a clear vision for the program.

The Canadian Federation of Students has been calling for a Post-Secondary Education Act that establishes guidelines for funds transferred to the provinces for post-secondary education. Federal legislation could provide clarity and ensure that families derive a benefit from new federal spending in the area of post-secondary education.

"As the economy continues to slow down, higher education and re-training will be critical to minimising the impact on low- and middle-income families," said Giroux-Bougard. "Canada's economic health depends on affordable post-secondary education."

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest student organisation. It is composed of over 80 university and college students' associations with a combined membership of over one half million students.