Student debt should not be 'downplayed' says UPEI student union
Angela Walker | CBC News | Posted: October 2, 2015 4:45 PM | Last Updated: October 2, 2015
UPEI student union concerned about comments saying half of students graduate debt free
The UPEI student union says comments about student debt made recently by an official with Universities Canada were "misleading" and could reduce the amount of attention the issue gets during the federal election.
In a recent interview with CBC television, Paul Davidson, C.E.O. of Universities Canada, said "about half of all university students graduate without any debt, zero. And of those with debt, about 40 per cent have a debt of less than $12,000."
He went on to say that it was a lifetime investment and while it can seem like a big barrier at the front end, many students graduate debt free.
The Vice-President Academic & External of the UPEI student union, Johnathan Rix said the comments gave the impression that the student debt crisis is not that big of an issue.
"It is true that 50 per cent of students don't have debt in this country but 50 per cent of students do have debt," said Rix. And they have debts at alarmingly high rates."
"We are in the middle of a federal election campaign right now. This is an issue that hasn't been talked about yet and we don't want this being downplayed at all. This is a huge issue that affects a lot of people across the country."
Rix said student debt may not be a problem for every Canadian student, but it is still a serious problem for those who are affected, especially those from low and middle income families.
He noted many students are concerned about debt re-payment especially with youth unemployment being so high.
Rix said the concerns of students need to be addressed by politicians and he worries any downplaying of the situation could jeopardize that.