February 25, 2026
Public Post-Secondary Education is the Cornerstone of New Brunswick’s Future
FREDERICTON – As Premier Susan Holt’s cabinet meets today to finalize the next provincial budget, Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton Lincoln David Coon and MLA for Tantramar Megan Mitton are calling on the government to abandon its proposed cuts to universities.
“The Holt government’s attack on public post-secondary education is the most destructive thing a government can do to the aspirations of our youth and the future of our province,” said Coon. “As high school students are deciding where to attend university, this could deter them from choosing St. Thomas, Mount Allison, or a regional Université de Moncton campus.”
Provincial government investments in New Brunswick universities have declined precipitously over time. During the past ten years, support for the province’s universities has failed to keep up with the rate of inflation. The federal government’s decision to severely limit the number of international students has further challenged university budgets.
“It’s appalling that this government is suggesting that Mount Allison, the top primarily undergraduate university in Canada, could be privatized,” said Mitton. “Public, accessible post-secondary education is the cornerstone of our province’s future. Whether it’s through privatization or cuts, this will unfairly shift the financial burden onto students through increased tuition and student debt.”
The provincial budget will be presented in the Legislative Assembly on March 17.
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