Posted: Wednesday, 1 February 2012

OTTAWA -- Barb Byers, CLC Executive Vice-President, told a national student rally in Ottawa that the Canadian labour movement stands with students in their demands for lower tuition fees, the elimination of student debt and an increase of funding for public, post-secondary education.

“Young workers have asked the labour movement to show their solidarity with you on this day and my being here is a sign of that support,” Byers said. She spoke at the National Day of Action rally organized by the Canadian Federation of Students on Parliament Hill. The Ottawa rally was one of about two dozen held across Canada on February 1st.

“We know that most jobs in today’s economy require post-secondary education and you are doing your part by enrolling and working hard at your studies, but society is letting you down,” Byers said. “You are burdened with historic levels of student debt and you are also entering the job market at a time of high youth unemployment.”

Statistics Canada reported that in December 2011 the rate of youth unemployment was 14.1 per cent, but Byers said the real unemployment rate for young people throughout 2011 was closer to 20 per cent. “That is a scandal. Too many young Canadians simply do not have a fair chance. We demand a better future for Canadian youth.”

Byers told her audience that younger and older workers must support one another. “This is all about a just and fair society. We support your demands as students just as you support the labour movement in its demand that governments invest in creating good, family-supporting jobs, and that Ottawa and the provinces agree to improve the Canada Pension Plan for retired workers. We are all in this together.”

The CLC’s Young Workers’ representative worked closely with the Canadian Federation of Students on the National Day of Action, and it was supported by labour councils and federations across the country.

For more information on demands being made by students please consult the Canadian Federation of Students website.