Student union says OSAP cuts, tuition increases hit Lakehead University

Lakehead University’s student union says Ontario’s end to the tuition freeze and new OSAP grant caps will disproportionately affect students at its Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses.

Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) says recent provincial changes to post-secondary funding will harm students at its Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses. On Feb. 12, Ontario announced $6.4 billion over four years to support colleges and universities and ended a seven-year tuition freeze. The province also set rules allowing up to 2% annual tuition increases for the next three years and revised the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) so that grants will be capped at 25% of aid packages. LUSU says those shifts, taken together, could reduce access and strain student-funded services. What is reported: - Ontario announced $6.4 billion over four years and ended the tuition freeze, permitting up to 2% annual tuition increases for three years and later tied increases to a limit of 2% or the three-year average inflation rate. - OSAP grant support will be capped at 25% of aid packages starting this fall, with at least 75% provided as loans, the province announced. - LUSU reports that about 9,300 students attend Lakehead University and that roughly 45% of students receive OSAP based on financial need. - LUSU leaders said the changes disproportionately affect middle-income and Indigenous students and raised concerns about potential instability for services funded by ancillary fees; the union plans to appeal to local MPPs and work with the Canadian Federation of Students—Ontario. - Minister Nolan Quinn issued a Feb. 12 news release saying the changes will support institutional sustainability and help keep education accessible. Summary: Lakehead’s student union says the end of the tuition freeze, allowable tuition increases and reduced OSAP grants will harm affordability and access for students at its campuses. The union also flagged possible impacts on student-funded services under Bill 33 and intends to raise the issue with local MPPs and provincial student groups; the provincial ministry has released a statement in support of the changes.