Minister comments on Statistics Canada data revisions

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, today commented on data revisions released by Statistics Canada yesterday regarding tuition fees in the country, particularly the additional fees in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"In a previous Statistics Canada report on August 21, 2002, it was reported that Memorial University of Newfoundland had the highest additional compulsory fees in the country at $732," said Minister Kelly. "Memorial addressed the issue with Statistics Canada and with local media and I am pleased to see that Statistics Canada has corrected the information. Memorial�s additional compulsory fees this year remain at $366, the same as last year and the second lowest in the country."

Most of the $366 is collected by Memorial on behalf of student advocacy groups, including the Memorial University Student�s Union (MUNSU), the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Students (NLFS), and represents unions dues and other fees, and membership in student health and dental plans. The only ancillary fee from which Memorial retains the revenue is a $40 per semester mandatory fee for membership in the university�s recreation complex.

The report also indicates that Memorial University has the lowest undergraduate tuition rates in Atlantic Canada at $2,729 per year, and the second lowest in Canada. Quebec�s annual undergraduate tuition rates are $1,851 for residents of Quebec.

"Despite the fact that tuition rates in the country have increased by 4.1 per cent this year, Newfoundland and Labrador�s tuition rates have decreased by 10.1 per cent," said Minister Kelly. "As a government, we are committed to ensuring affordable tuition rates for students attending post-secondary institutions in the province. The tuition reduction at Memorial, along with a continued tuition freeze at Marine Institute and College of the North Atlantic, are part of this commitment."

For more information on the Statistics Canada report, visit //www.statcan.gc.ca/

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2002 09 10                                      9:55 a.m.