Premier Doug Ford called students who walked out of class to protest changes to financial aid and rising tuition “naive,” saying they should stay in class and focus on preparing for a career.
Ford made the comments Monday, when asked about demonstrations held the previous Thursday at campuses across Ontario.
Students were protesting changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) that shift more aid from grants to loans, along with the province’s decision to lift a tuition freeze.
Ford pointed to provincial spending on post-secondary education, including $38 million for more than 1,500 additional seats at Trent University in science, technology, engineering, math, health and trades programs.
Ford also suggested social media had influenced some students’ decision to walk out.
He urged students to pursue careers in areas such as technology and health care, and said he regularly praises Ontario graduates when speaking with companies abroad.
The province announced in February that it would begin lifting a seven-year tuition freeze, allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition by up to two per cent annually over three years.
The government also announced $6.4 billion in post-secondary funding over four years.
At the same time, the maximum share of OSAP aid available as non-repayable grants fell from 85 per cent to 25 per cent.
Student groups say relying more heavily on loans will leave students with more debt at a time when many are already struggling to cover tuition, rent and other living costs.