Protest at downtown intersection part of demonstrations across Ontario calling for affordable education.
Students at two Kingston high schools joined a provincewide walkout to protest changes to Ontario’s student financial aid program. Organizers say more than 150 high schools took part.
The demonstration involved students from Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute and Kingston Secondary School. They gathered near the intersection by the former office of local MP Mark Garretson.
We spoke to one of the students on the picket line, Ezra, about why they were protesting.
The walkout was scheduled from 12:05 p.m. to 1:10 p.m., with a backup date of Thursday if weather forced a delay. Students say they are protesting cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program, known as OSAP, and possible tuition increases.
The Ford government reduced non-repayable grants from about 85 per cent of aid to 25 per cent earlier this year. It also lifted a tuition freeze, allowing colleges and universities to raise fees by up to two per cent annually.
Ezra says they do not want their choices for education to be limited.
Student organizers say the protests aim to protect affordable access to post-secondary education across Ontario provincewide.
Story by Alyssa Brush
Why people across Kingston are wearing purple this March
Health care job seekers wanted at Kingston hiring event next week
High school students plan walkouts across Ontario over OSAP cuts
Loyalist Township man charged after armed bank robbery
Napanee students defeat Kingston Police in charity hockey rematch
