I’ve spent a lot of time and effort fighting for affordability and safety for all Victoria residents.
Students have been some of the hardest hit by our cost-of-living crisis, as noted in the Student Issues Backgrounder 2025, prepared by:
• Alliance of BC Students
• Alma Mater Society of The University of British Columbia Vancouver
• Capilano Students’ Union
• Graduate Student Society of the University of British Columbia
• University of British Columbia Student’s Union Okanagan
• University of the Fraser Valley Student Union Society
• University of Victoria Students’ Society
• Royal Roads University Student Association
• Simon Fraser Student Society
Their Backgrounder contains 15 targeted requests to help support students “by ensuring that every single student has access to the essentials of housing near campus, adequate nutrition, efficient transportation, labour rights, safe campuses, and sensible tuition”
I was very happy to move a successful Victoria Council motion calling on the provincial government to:
- create the Student Food Security Grant called for in the Backgrounder;
- set a $10 flat-rate ferry fare for students foot passengers; and
- explore and consult with student advocacy organizations in relation to all 15 of the recommendations made in the Backgrounder.
CMM_-_Post-secondary_student_affordability_-_advocacy_to_AVICC_and_UBCM
Governments need to see student affordability and safety as valuable in their own right, as well as being the underpinnings of a successful economy of the future.