VANCOUVER--The Canadian Federation of Students was dismayed to learn that Non-Partisan Association Councillors on Vancouver City Council blocked discussion of a motion to take a stand against the recent 2.6% provincial funding cut to universities and colleges. The motion, moved Tuesday by Councillor Raymond Louie, would have committed Council to write BC's Minister of Advanced Education to "express its concern" over the cuts.

"The NPA's refusal to hear the motion makes no sense," said Vijaya Krishnan, Chairperson of the Students' Unions of Vancouver Community College. "Vancouver's colleges and universities provide innumerable social and economic benefits to Vancouver, and the NPA won't even entertain a discussion of defending them from funding cutbacks."Students and college faculty and staff were scheduled to speak to the motion at Thursday's Council meeting, prior to a vote. Instead, NPA Councillors used procedure to receive the motion without any public discussion and without action being taken on the motion. The NPA's move is in direct contrast to city councils in other communities impacted by the cuts. The City of Surrey, the Township and the City of Langley, the City of Abbotsford, and the City of White Rock co-signed a letter expressing concern over the cut, in addition to support from a number of other city councils.

"The public has been galvanized against the funding and access crisis at our universities and colleges," said Shamus Reid, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–BC. "Sadly, Vancouver City Council is refusing to stand up for its community."