NDP Leader focuses on youth and post-secondary education at CBU

Affordable post-secondary education and decent wages needed

SYDNEY – NDP Leader Gary Burrill will spend most of Tuesday focusing on youth and post-secondary education in Cape Breton.

“Access to affordable post-secondary education and decent wages are required if we want to keep young people in our communities,” said Burrill. “We have the fastest rising tuition in the country and the lowest minimum wage. This won’t get us where we need to go.”

The NDP Caucus has introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour over three years, as is being done in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. The NDP Caucus also worked to hold the Liberal government accountable during the fall legislative sitting on the rapid increases in tuition fees for students.

“Stephen McNeil is only focused on creating a budget surplus. Instead, we need a government that will invest in our young people’s futures,” said Burrill. “I think there is something seriously wrong with this government’s priorities.”

Burrill will meet with the President of CBU in the afternoon and attend the One Nova Scotia meeting Tuesday evening. He will also join students for a Pints and Politics event at 4 pm at Cape Breton University at the Pit. The event is open to the public.

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