Meanwhile, in Quebec...

[Alaris]

Basically, it started with students opposing a tuition fee increase which would have nearly doubled their fees after 5 years, still keeping it lower than the rest of Canada and the US, but far higher than France or Germany which are free afaik.

The student process and negotiations have been in vain, and the whole thing escalated with the police and government trying to intimidate the students into stopping the protests via the usual pepper spray and mass arrests. Then they added special laws to make it harder for students to protest by limiting their rights to protest. They've even done a number of preventative arrests.

All this really did was get a lot of non-students to join in the protest.

At this point, we're reaching record numbers of civil disobedience and of people getting fined for it. It's gotten out of control, and some think come next election the current government will get kicked out or at least become minority.

Fun times.

More reading...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...-timeline.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Qu...udent_protests

[MixedVariety]

So, what really should happen is, the students should consider themselves lucky to get an education at any price and swallow the increase.

Seems like the government is making things much worse. And, you'd think the school administration would step up at some point and do the right thing, but nope...they're just another greedy business first, and a college second.

[The King of Dust]

Might get yelled at for this, but I agree with a tuition fee increase. The fees have increased over the years, but they haven't followed inflation. Could stretched over a longer period of time, but they should increase. There's already enough unmotivated students wasting their time (at least in cegeps), the only way I'd agree with gratuity is if students that fail have pay for their failed classes.

That being said, I really don't like the way the whole thing was handled by the government, especially that Bill 78. Combined with other issues I have with the liberal party, I'm definitely not voting for them when the next election comes.

[Alaris]

Well, here we happen to believe in free healthcare and affordable education. I know, I know. We're crazy that way.

Besides, we need to admit that the gov is saying that we need to tighten our belts and pay our share, meanwhile they're giving bigger tax breaks to the rich and the job-not-providers and pocketing the difference. Not just here, this is worldwide. It's like they way they're saying "sorry for having damaged the economy" is to further empty our pockets.

I think you know which side I am on at this point ;)

But I didn't protest the fee increase, what I do protest though is that they are fighting democracy. Ideologically I believe in free education, but not enough to protest. Enough to vote. But when the gov starts giving fines to people protesting peacefully, they're going too far.

We were at an event when protesters came around. The police outnumbered protestors 3:1, and the police was the ones making all the noise and trouble. I've never seen that. Protestors were pacifists, all of them, just dancing and having fun. There was no reason for there being such a big police presence.

School admin really doesn't have the power to do anything here, aside for vastly reducing waste. Even then I am not sure it would really make a significant difference.

@King of Dust: I fully respect your opinion. I mean, I disagree, but I think that's part of democracy and I'd be more than happy to put that to a vote and let democracy go with it. I'd also be happy with students wasting their time having to pay more, so that those who go through the system efficiently get it free or very affordable.

[MixedVariety]

I have a bone to pick with further education policies in general costing vast amounts of money, (outside of the countries that somehow manage to provide it free or, at least, reasonably enough for almost anyone to afford).

Countries like the U.S. are pricing themselves right out of the education market. Students and whole families are in financial ruin because of it. I see a future, in another generation or so if things don't change, where only the rich, super-athletes, or minorities with full scholarships will be able to afford college degrees.

Personally, I believe education should be free to those interested enough to pursue it. I already support basic education (K through grade 12) with my taxes, and would be quite willing to endure a sizable tax increase if it meant future generations would be thinking beings.

[Alaris]

One way to control people is to make sure they are not educated (Naom Chomski). I think this is on purpose, keep the education within the rich population, then do whatever you want with your power.

Free education is equality.

[sorudo]

pretty much gives this music a comeback statement.

[MixedVariety]

Yes, getting smarter should be free. And while we're at it, so should health care. IMO.

But while I see your point, sorudo, two things: Pink Floyd's version was first and best, and let's not make this into another music thread.

[RD]

So, what really should happen is, the students should consider themselves lucky to get an education at any price and swallow the increase.

Yes, getting smarter should be free. And while we're at it, so should health care. IMO.

Lolwut

Also, civil disobience at record highs in Canada? So like 15 people? *BA-DUM PSH*

Tapatalk'd

[Giggles]

I think the question is why aren't the other Provinces protesting as well. Quebec has had much lower tuition fees for like forever, which in a knowledge economy, makes a lot of sense to me. You want as many people capable of doing knowledgey stuff and if economic barriers are limiting many people from that, you're going to be in trouble because people won't have the skills to do the work that's around them. How many people are in perpetual dept in the US from having to spend huge amounts of money on post secondary education? I face palm when I hear people say, back in my day I worked summers to pay for my education. Sure, 50 years ago it was a hell of a lot cheaper. So was the cost of living. Houses were way cheaper to. IMO schooling should be widely avail, not just to the people that can afford it.

What's going on in Quebec is more complicated then just the tuition thing. The neoliberalism of the provincial government is also a big part to play. I think a lot of people there feel that protesting is a more useful way to change government then via the ballet box.