Laura Mae Lindo MPP, Kitchener Centre

SUDBURY AND KITCHENER – Ontario Colleges and Universities Critic Laura Mae Lindo and Sudbury MPP Jamie West issued the following joint statement:
 
“Laurentian University has educated generations of Ontarians in every field, including in Indigenous and francophone studies, despite years of underfunding by successive Liberal and Conservative governments. 
 
In response to news that the University is seeking creditor protection, it’s appalling that Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano—a northerner himself—chose to devalue their achievements, minimize the devastating impact of COVID-19, refuse to recognize decades of underfunding and respond to this distressing situation with a threat to put university finances under government oversight powers. 
 
It’s no surprise that our post-secondary institutions, are suffering from the impacts of the pandemic. After years of underfunding, Doug Ford took a hatchet to OSAP and to university funding, slashing over $700 million with even more on a chopping block now. They need investments in students and the future of Ontario – not undermining attacks from the minister.”