Alberta’s Students Demand Action on Post-Secondary Funding

On February 11, 2025, 25 students’ associations across Alberta released an open letter calling on the provincial government to restore operating grant funding for public and nonprofit post-secondary institutions. Since funding cuts began in 2019, Alberta has dropped from being the third-most educated province in Canada to the sixth, while tuition has surged, student debt has soared, and institutions face billions in maintenance backlogs.

Representing over 290,000 students, the signatories highlight that Alberta’s post-secondary system is at a tipping point. Students struggle with record-high costs while institutions are forced to rely on tuition hikes and unstable commercial ventures. Meanwhile, workforce demands are evolving, and Alberta risks losing talent to better-funded provinces.

The letter urges the government to reinstate funding to 2019 levels, adjusted for inflation and enrolment growth, ensuring Alberta can attract, train, and retain the skilled graduates essential for the province’s future prosperity.

View the letter here.