On August 7, 2020, the TRU Students’ Union submitted ita document outlining their priorities recommendations for the 2021 federal budget. The Students’ Union identified three key priorities for made three recommendations to the federal government to consider in order too help students and the post-secondary sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 The Students’ Union’s first recommendation is that the Canada Student Grants program, which has already been doubled for the 2020/2021 year, continues at that rate is doubled for three years in total until 2022/2023. This continuation will support both current students as well as those looking for retraining in the coming years to be able to access post-secondary education affordably. The second recommendation is for the continued expansion of the Canada Summer Jobs program, as students and young people are some of the hardest hit in terms of unemployment as a result of the pandemic and the precarious job market to come as we move through the economic recovery. The third recommendation is for the federal government to revise its 2019–2024 -2024 international education plan. With changes in global mobility and an economic recession, a new plan is needed to help students and institutions adapt to move forward together regarding international education. 

 “We know that students and young people are facing significant challenges in the months and years ahead,” said Kole Lawrence, Vice President External. “These three recommendations will help students, as well as the broader Canadian economy, recover from COVID. It takes political courage but making investments in young people now will pay big dividends for the country in the future” 

 The Federal government,s through its Finance Committee, hosts a public budget consultation process each year in order to develop recommendations for the upcoming federal budget. The theme of the report this year is on “measures the federal government could take to restart the Canadian economy, as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

 To read the full TRUSU report click here.

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