STUDENTS & COVID-19
Declining college and university enrolment, unprecedented levels of student debt, and skyrocketing youth unemployment rates. Students are struggling more than ever.
Use our tool below to write your Member of Parliament and let them know that you want them to fight immediate and inclusive relief for students.
POST SECONDARY EMERGENCY PANDEMIC RELIEF PETITION
It’s time for a Canada-wide post-secondary relief and stimulus program. We need a bold national strategy to ensure current and future students, recent graduates and educators are the centre of pandemic recovery.
- Extend the moratorium on student debt loan interest and payments until May 1, 2021
- Reallocate unused funds from the $9 billion Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) to extend Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) for domestic and international students
- Extend the moratorium on student debt loan interest and payments until May 1, 2021
POST SECONDARY EMERGENCY PANDEMIC RELIEF PETITION
It’s time for a Canada-wide post-secondary relief and stimulus program. We need a bold national strategy to ensure current and future students, recent graduates and educators are the centre of pandemic recovery.
- Extend the moratorium on student debt loan interest and payments until May 1, 2021
- Reallocate unused funds from the $9 billion Canada Student Service Grant (CSSG) to extend Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) for domestic and international students
- Extend the moratorium on student debt loan interest and payments until May 1, 2021
FAQ
How much student debt do the people of Canada have ?
As of 2016, student debt in Canada exceeds $36 billion with $18 billion owed federally and is the cause of 1 in 6 bankruptcies
What is the rate of unemployment in Canada?
Canada’s youth unemployment rate reached an all-time high of 29.4% in May and is still at crisis levels (18.8% as of October) while further deterioration remains a strong possibility due to the second wave
How much would it cost to fund free education?
The COVID-19 student aid package amounted to $9 billion and we need $10.2 billion to fund education for all. Budgets are about priorities and we deserve better.
If I lose my job, how do I apply for Employment Insurance?
- Gather supporting documents
- Complete the online application
- Provide supporting documents
- A benefit statement and access code will arrive by mail
- Review your application status
If I can’t find a job, am I eligible to receive Employment Insurance?
How many students are struggling with food insecurity ?
39% of students are struggling with food insecurity due to the rising and unaffordable cost of food, tuition fees, and housing
How much student debt do the people of Canada have ?
As of 2016, student debt in Canada exceeds $36 billion with $18 billion owed federally and is the cause of one in six bankruptcies.
How many students are struggling with food insecurity ?
39% of students are struggling with food insecurity due to the rising and unaffordable cost of food, tuition fees, and housing
What is the rate of unemployment in Canada?
Canada’s youth unemployment rate reached an all-time high of 29.4% in May and is still at crisis levels (18.8% as of October) while further deterioration remains a strong possibility due to the second wave
How much would it cost to fund free education?
The COVID-19 student aid package amounted to $9 billion and we need $10.2 billion to fund education for all. Budgets are about priorities and we deserve better
If I lose my job, how do I apply for Employment Insurance?
- Gather supporting documents
- Complete the online application
- Provide supporting documents
- A benefit statement and access code will arrive by mail
- Review your application status
If I can’t find a job, am I eligible to receive Employment Insurance?
STUDENTS RESOURCES
As this pandemic is creating a lot of “firsts” for institutions and students’ unions, we have created a document to share resources on how to deal with the situation at hand.
The Federation is putting together graphics to help bring attention to students issues during COVID-19 – you can access all of them at the link below and feel free to share on your social media platforms!
The Canadian Federation of Students has partnered with the Canadian Psychological Association to bring you resources in this unprecedented time of stress and help you cope with a changing world. This fact sheet is intended to help students take care of their wellbeing.
As students practice physical distancing, we’ve created a colouring book to help pass the time. You can print the pages or fill them out with the Paint app online! All details at the link below.
STUDENT RESOURCES
As this pandemic is creating a lot of “firsts” for institutions and students’ unions, we have created a document to share resources on how to deal with the situation at hand.
The Federation is putting together graphics to help bring attention to students issues during COVID-19 – you can access all of them at the link below and feel free to share on your social media platforms!
The Canadian Federation of Students has partnered with the Canadian Psychological Association to bring you resources in this unprecedented time of stress and help you cope with a changing world. This fact sheet is intended to help students take care of their wellbeing.
As students practice physical distancing, we’ve created a colouring book to help pass the time. You can print the pages or fill them out with the Paint app online! All details at the link below.
"You're able to find that community, you're able to find that group, you're able to have this service on campus. And so not being able to access that now is definitely a huge struggle." Joanna Clark, chairperson for @cfsns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/pandemic-university-students-mental-health-stress-1.5868705
#CDNpse @dontforgetstdns
More info here: https://twitter.com/MWACCanada/status/1347639384741441538?s=19
ORGANIZING WORKS! For months, migrant student workers organized, and WE WON. We stopped mass deportations! The federal government has made post graduate work permits (PGWPs) renewable.
++ More info coming soon.
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