Created 10 February 2021 13:02

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release February 10, 2021 – The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC (CUFA BC) continues to support the BCFS Knockout Interest campaign (www.knockoutinterest.ca) and reaffirms its commitment during the 2021 Week of Action on February 8-12. This campaign calls on the federal government to increase affordability of post-secondary education by eliminating interest charged on federal student loans.

The rising costs associated with federal student loan debt are increasingly making life unaffordable in Canada, and disproportionately affecting students and families from low- and middle-income backgrounds. Over half of students in Canada graduate with student loan debt, and the average debt for students graduating with an undergraduate degree is over $30,000. With tuition fees continuing to rise, that number will only increase in the future.

CUFA BC stands with the BC Federation of Students and its 130,000 members in its call to end student loan interest. By doing so, we can help to level the playing field for Canadians, making life more affordable for those who borrow money to access education.

For further information or comment please contact CUFA BC Executive Director Annabree Fairweather at 604-367-5856 or [email protected].

CUFA BC represents over 5,500 faculty members, professional librarians, lecturers, instructors, and other academics at the five research-intensive universities in British Columbia, which include University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and University of Northern British Columbia.

CUFA BC has existed for fifty years and works closely with the member Faculty Associations at each institution. Our purposes are to support high-quality post-secondary education and research in British Columbia and to advocate for the interests of our members.