Dozens of students took to Victoria Park on the weekend, to protest changes to the Ontario Student Aid Program (OSAP).
The demonstrations came a month after the provincial government announced it would end a seven-year long tuition freeze, along with changing grant distribution through OSAP.
In September, aid packages for eligible students will be cut. Grants covering only 25 per cent compared to 85 per cent in previous years—the rest being covered in loans.
Student leader, Zayah Samad at the OSAP protest, Saturday at Victoria Park, London, ON.
“We have to meet up and protest because it’s not okay,” said Zayah Samad who invited students to join her in protest through a post on Instagram. “I’m doing this because I feel like it’s really unfair that I got this thing [grants] and then other people can’t.”
The weekend protests were part of a larger movement across the province. Multiple student-led organizations have been staging walkouts and demonstrations- including one at Queens Park planned for Wednesday.
MPP’s Terence Kernaghan, and Peggy Sattler joined the students in protest.
Local New Democrats also joined the students in protest. MPPs Terence Kernaghan and Peggy Sattler criticized Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“He wants to pretend that there is equity of opportunity, but he can’t see past his privilege,” said Kernaghan.
The NDP is planning a town hall at Western University Monday night, saying they want to better understand concerns from their constituents.
