Jenny Potter photo Benjamin Martin, SA vice president, thinks the minister should recognize the importance of education.

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations hopes that the new Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg, will bring a renewed commitment to post-secondary education.

Solberg was appointed as the new minister of HRSD on Jan. 4 and in his former position as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration he was granted federal approval for international students to work off-campus. Now CASA is expecting the minister to do something for post-secondary students.

“He has always made time for us. It wasn’t a throw-off meeting. He was concerned and you can see the commitment he has for post-secondary education,” said Caen Suni, CASA public relations and communications officer.

Many of the concerns Suni mentioned were lobby priorities such as an increase of funding, tax credits and GST elimination on textbooks. Many Canadian students are eager to see what minister Solberg can do for them and hope he addresses post-secondary education as a national priority.

“They should recognize that not everyone is from a well-to-do circumstance. The new minister should meet up with the Students’ Association to fully understand students’ concern,” said Anna Lamarre, second-year graphic design student.

CASA believes the government will renew its commitment to Canadian families and students by making plans to address federal transfer of funds and work with provinces and territories to make post-secondary education a priority.

However, some students believe that the government should start paying more attention to Ontartio Student Assistance Program. According to Melissa Goodman, another second-year graphic design student, there should be an equal distribution on student loans.

“Money is the biggest concern. Some students are eating Kraft Dinner and others are getting huge amounts of OSAP and go out and get a car,” said Goodman.

Others, like Britney Halfpenny, another second-year graphic student, believe the government should lower tuition fees for both colleges and universities.

“The new minister should come up with a plan for post-secondary education. When it comes to OSAP they should research more on how much money people get.”

The vice president of Algonquin’s Students’ Association, Benjamin Martin, agreed. He thinks the minister should recognize the importance of education and commented that if there was more funding per student it would allow for a higher quality of education at both Algonquin and other colleges in the provinces.

“The Students’ Association hopes that with every government there is a high emphasis placed on post-secondary [education],” said Martin.

He suggested that with more funding it would allow schools to upgrade their tools and facilities to provide the most updated education.

Suni stated he believes minister Solberg is capable of making post-secondary education a priority due to his past experiences. “He held a high financial profile, so he is very familiar with what he is doing. He came into the position with existing understanding.”