The Saskatchewan NDP first exposed the pending elimination of the Ukrainian Tuition program on Nov. 4 in the Legislature. The program provides vital financial support for Ukrainian students who have fled the war-torn country and chosen to attend post-secondary schools in Saskatchewan. Students enrolled in the program were recently sent a letter saying that provincial funding would cease after the current winter semester.
When pressed to reverse the callous funding cut, Sask. Party Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff tried to deflect blame onto the federal government.
“It’s a federal government program that we jointly administer,” he said on Nov. 4 in the Legislature.
“This is a program that’s in place — a joint program with the federal government,” Cheveldayoff added when pressed again the legislature on Nov. 5.
Nothing prevents the provincial government from fully funding tuition relief for Ukrainian students attending post-secondary in Saskatchewan.
“The Minister is lying, plain and simple,” said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP MLA for Saskatoon Churchill Wildwood. “He could reverse this cut and support these students today.
“Ukrainians have suffered so much as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of their country. These students came here to build a better life. This program is a rounding error in the Minister’s budget — why won’t he do the right thing and reverse it today?”
Jorgenson joined student Ivan Teteria for a news conference outside of the Minister’s constituency office Monday. Teteria has been among the students speaking out against the horrendous cut and refusal by the Minister to admit his mistake and correct it.
“I want to be here in Saskatchewan,” he said. “I came here to build a bright future but I don’t know what my future holds if this program isn’t saved. I have watched as the Minister has refused to help us — and I am begging him for help.”
The Saskatchewan NDP will take the call to save the Ukrainian Tuition Program directly to the Minister in Question Period later Monday.
“People are tired of being mistreated by the Sask. Party Government over their 18 years in power,” Jorgenson said. “Every day, more and more people see that these guys only care about their friends and insiders.
“We are not asking for special treatment for Ukrainian students, we are asking that they we be treated the same as refugees who pay domestic tuition rates.”
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