My name is Maggie Garrison and I am a recent high school graduate, currently in my gap year. The reality is, most students who take a gap year are not fortunate enough to travel the globe; most of us are working minimum wage jobs in order to relieve our impending student debt. According to statistics Canada, the average cost per year for an undergraduate degree is $6,463. This does not include ancillary fees, books, or living costs. 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was working two full time jobs as a server to save for college. Even though I live with a single parent, I unfortunately won’t get much financial assistance from OSAP due to Doug Ford’s recent cuts, and ultimately I am responsible for covering the costs of my education. I am not the only student in this boat; The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting postsecondary students across Ontario. Most of us have lost our jobs, and as of now it is unclear whether or not we will be able to find a summer job. Many students aren’t eligible for CERB and aside from that there is no financial support being offered to us.

By creating this petition, my hope is that we will persuade the Ontario government to reduce tuition for students enrolled in the 2020/2021 year. If not this then at least offer some financial help to make up for lost income due to COVID-19. We all deserve the right to an education, and financial instability should not be a barrier.