As a struggling student, the daily woes of the rising cost of living coupled with the burden of my student loan is increasingly disheartening. Starting my career and life after school seems overwhelming when the financial situation only seems to be getting worse. Adding to the burden is student loan interest; a constant reminder of how challenging it has been for many like me to spend years and years working hard to attain our education, to follow our dreams, to give back to our communities. 

In a positive stride, national student loans and several provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador have abolished the interest on student loans, giving countless students hope for their financial future.

However, in provinces like Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and all territories across the vast country of Canada, young hopeful minds are still plagued with the financial stress of student loan interest. With Canada's average student debt being over $28,000 as per the Canadian Federation of Students, it's crystal clear that eliminating student loan interest would remarkably ease the financial stress for students.

Regarding trends in student enrollment, financial barriers remain a significant deterrent with about 70% of high school graduates citing financial reasons discouraging them from pursuing post-secondary education. Eliminating interest allows students to not pay EXTRA for the already sky-high prices on tuition, cost of living as a student, and other expenses expected (or not expected) during their studies.

The time has come to give the students of Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and all Canadian territories the same financial relief. Interest and loans aren't just numbers, they present a real hurdle, affecting hard-working students at the starting line of their careers. 

Please sign this petition to call for the elimination of student loan interest across all provinces and territories in Canada, to ensure a fair chance and hopeful future for all its students. Your signature will bring us one step closer to making a significant change to better the lives of Canadian students.