Students cite reduced grants and rising costs as barriers to post-secondary education in Carleton Place student OSAP protest
CARLETON PLACE — Students in Carleton Place joined a provincewide student walkout March 12 to protest changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
The lunchtime protest, held around 12:30 p.m., was part of a coordinated action at schools across Ontario targeting the government of Premier Doug Ford and changes to the student aid system. One student organizer estimated about 70 schools took part.
At Notre Dame High School in Carleton Place, Grade 12 student Edison Thompson helped organize the local walkout.
“All of this is a long-winded way of saying that I am pissed off,” Thompson said. “I am pissed off on my behalf and on behalf of all students in Ontario.”
Thompson said he first learned about the changes while visiting the University of Ottawa campus.
“I had just been looking into residence and scholarship applications when I heard the news, and I was justifiably disappointed and upset,” he said. “The future of not only my education but my career and quality of life is being actively threatened by these changes.”
Students at Carleton Place High School also gathered outside during the lunch hour to raise concerns about the changes.
“My personal concern is that two thirds of students use OSAP and now they won’t even be able to afford that,” said Abby Neale, a Grade 11 student and walkout organizer at CPHS. “I will be going nowhere without it. My family and I cannot afford the high cost of university.”
Neale said the reduction in maximum grants has left many students uncertain about their ability to pursue post-secondary education.
Thompson said the financial pressure is already significant for students planning their next steps.
“I’m an only child raised by a single mom,” he said. “I work three part-time jobs, all paying over minimum wage, and I still can’t afford a car, or tuition, or the cheapest options for university residence.”
For CPHS Grade 12 student Finn MacDonald, the issue reflects wider concerns about the future facing many young people.
“With the rising costs of living and house prices going through the roof, many people growing up in this economy are afraid that we will never be able to afford a house and live comfortably in a career that doesn’t make us miserable,” MacDonald said.
He said financial barriers to higher education are already a reality for many families in the community.
“In our town of Carleton Place so many families struggle with money and many people I know personally are not going to be able to afford post-secondary school without support,” he said. “Or they would have to take on debt that they will be stuck paying off for years.”
Neale said students expect government support to help keep higher education accessible.
“The government should help students and make things easier for them,” she said. “But instead they subtracted the maximum grants available by 75 per cent.”
Thompson said the long-term effects could extend beyond current students.
“When Ford needs to go get his car fixed, he won’t be able to find a mechanic,” he said. “And when he asks, ‘Where have all the mechanics gone?’ someone will answer him: ‘No one can afford to be one.’”
MacDonald said the protest was meant to draw attention to what students believe is at stake.
“We protested for our future and for the future of the less fortunate,” he said. “We want to show that we care about our education and that we want our government to care about it too.”
Officials with the Upper Canada District School Board acknowledged that students may wish to express their views but encouraged other forms of advocacy.
“We recognize that students may wish to engage in civic dialogue around issues that matter to them,” said executive superintendent Chris Boulay. “However, we would encourage any students planning a walkout to consider alternative ways to show their advocacy, such as organizing discussions, writing to elected officials, engaging through student councils, or planning activities outside of instructional time.”
Neale said students intend to continue raising the issue.
“These cuts will change because I won’t rest until things are fair for me and my peers,” she said.
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