Polytechnics Canada welcomes today’s announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on new federal investments that support post-secondary students and recent graduates affected by COVID-19. The investments represent $9 billion in new funding, providing direct financial assistance to post-secondary students and creating more opportunities for summer work experience.

“Today’s announcement is very good news at a time of tremendous uncertainty for students, many of whom rely on summer jobs to pay tuition, rent and other living expenses, not to mention gain valuable work experience,” said Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO of Polytechnics Canada. “Given their important role as Canada’s future workforce, programs and policies that support them are critical.”

Among new measures, the federal government announced:

• A new Canada Emergency Student Benefit to provide financial support over the summer months and ensuring they can return to school in the fall
• Changes to the Canada Students Loans and Grants program, doubling student grants for the 2020-21 academic year and raising the weekly cap on student loans
• New investments to support summer employment opportunities and create the Canada Student Service Grant which will provide financial assistance to students volunteering in their communities
• New investments to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation students

“Institutions have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of ways, from providing technology loans to supporting mental wellness among students struggling to complete the winter term. One critical way we saw polytechnics respond was through emergency financial assistance for students, eliciting thousands of applications for support. We join our member institutions and their students in welcoming new measures that respond to that need,” said Watts-Rynard.

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Read the Government of Canada’s press release.

For more information contact:

communications@polytechnicscanada.ca

About Polytechnics Canada
At Polytechnics Canada, we are proud promoters of the polytechnic education model. Our members offer advanced programming across the knowledge spectrum in direct response to industry needs. Practical, hands-on learning opportunities prepare students for workplace challenges, ensuring graduates are job-ready and armed with the skills employers need across sectors.