When New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt was elected, students felt protected by Team Holt’s stance on post-secondary education. The NB Liberal Platform acknowledged that “students are not immune to the cost-of-living crisis”, with low income and student loans causing many to be unable to afford necessary expenses such as groceries and rent. The government’s goals of finding long-term solutions for student housing and providing additional grants left many students feeling as if they were in good hands. However, a recent proposal has many students rethinking their trust in the Premier’s stance on education.  

(@susancholt on Instagram)

In a recent meeting, the NB Liberal government proposed $35-$50 million in post-secondary budget cuts. Additionally, they discussed making major changes to New Brunswick post-secondary institutions, such as getting rid of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, privatizing Mount Allison University, and merging St. Thomas University with the University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus. At the same time, the Holt Government is giving Irving Paper $45 million dollars in tariff relief funds. Ultimately, this shows just how little value the government places on education, as well as where their priorities lie.  

It was not long before Susan Holt started backtracking on these major changes. What is more surprising is the way she chose to do it – through Instagram. In the comments of a post from @new.funswick, an Instagram meme page that was speaking out against these proposed budget cuts, one concerned student tagged Holt, asking for a response. She later replied, insisting that “there are no plans to close STU”.  Her use of a social media comment section to spread news critical to universities across the province spiked concern amongst students.  

(@new.funswick on Instagram) (Susan Holt in response to @tammygolla1 on Instagram)

The timing of these proposed budget cuts could not be worse. In the midst of the current student affordability crisis, it is already hard enough to enroll in university. The lack of student housing, low student employment rates, and constant increases in price and tuition make affording university a struggle. The Canada Student Grants’ increase from $3 000 to $4 200 is set to expire this year, with no word of government intervention. Now, with the Holt government cutting $35-$50 million from post-secondary institutions, the situation becomes much worse. Canadian universities are increasingly becoming inaccessible – these budget cuts will act as an added barrier between students and post-secondary education.   

Students are not laying down and waiting for these cuts to hit – they are making their voices heard. Through protests, petitions, and movements, students have been extremely vocal regarding their distaste in these proposals. Students are writing letters to their MLAs to make themselves heard, and petitions have been gaining traction and circulating online. If you have something to say about the proposed post-secondary budget cuts, now is the time. Send a letter, sign a petition, and speak up.  

Today, Tuesday, March 17th, the Holt government is announcing their budget. That same day, Students Against Cuts NB is organizing a rally. Students from UNB, MTA, and STU are conducting a peaceful protest to fight for student investment. Protesters are meeting at 10 a.m. by the UNB Fredericton Student Union building and are planning to walk down to the Legislative Assembly building from there.  

If you are looking for more information on the proposed budget cuts, follow along with @unb_src on Instagram. Instagram accounts @studentsagainstcutnb and @nbstudentstrike keep students up to date on protests.  

Remember that there is power in numbers; if you are able to, join these university students from across the province in fighting back against these proposed post-secondary budget cuts.