NDP Leader and Education Critic Lorraine Michael is questioning how making cuts to Memorial University can be part of government’s plan to invest in the future of Newfoundland and Labrador and retain young, skilled people in the province.
Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) says government has cut Memorial University's operating grant for the third year in a row, and just before a major study of public post-secondary institutions is slated to begin.
Today in Question Period, Michael asked the Minister of Finance “why is he arbitrarily slashing Memorial's budget without even waiting for evidence from the study indicating what the needs are?”
Michael says at a time when government should be investing in public post-secondary institutions to revitalize our economy, we see more cuts to these institutions threatening their facilities and programs.
“I'm not sure how these cuts qualify as building for the future,” Michael said.
“I ask the Minister of Finance, will the study be just another way to cut post-secondary education?” she said.