“Making the pitch” November 24, 2015

The Opportunity Everybody here has the opportunity to explain to an MPP, for 30 minutes, what issues are important issues for college students, and what should be done about it You need to maximize this opportunity by communicating your case clearly and concisely

Hard on the training ground, easy on the battlefield.

Strengthening accessibility for vulnerable students Issue: The OTG does not ensure that education is accessible and affordable for many individuals facing obstacles to accessing PSE. Specifically: Aboriginal students, mature students with dependents, and first generation learners are disadvantaged in relation to OTG criteria.

Goal of OTG: Ensure that postsecondary education is accessible and affordable for Ontario’s undergraduate students by helping eligible students pay for their tuition.

24 + students in Ontario’s colleges Eligibility criteria in question: Individuals could be eligible for the OTG if they’ve been out of high school for: less than 4 years (or less than 6 years if you have a permanent disability); or, more than 4 years but less than 5 years and they’re in the 4th or 5th year of an eligible co-op program

Aboriginal learners

Mature students with dependents

First Generation Learners 59% of 24 + students had a parent of guardian that has attended either a university or college 71.8% for students under 24

Recommendation: Eliminate age based eligibility criteria from the OTG to ensure that grants target students in need.

Targeting tax credits to strengthen accessibility Issue: OEPTC tax credits for students living in college residence are redistributed to the college institution

Goal of tax exemption: This credit helps low- to moderate-income individuals with property taxes and the sales tax on energy. The credit is part of the Ontario Trillium Benefit. Many residence students are low- to moderate income!

OEPTC tax credits Up to $993 per person (including renters) if property tax $25 for students living in residence if no property tax

Substantiating the problem This tax situation impacts up to 14, 799 students If everybody got the deemed occupancy cost, it’s $345,000 per year If everybody got half of the maximum eligibility, it’s $7,300,000 per year (20X the amount)

Why does this rule exists? Redistributes students’ finances to colleges in the form of tax exemptions The Government of Ontario is unable to provide reasoning regarding this issue The rule has existed in its form for approximately 160 years – College residences simply qualify for this exemption!

In light of recent trends PSE salaries and benefits growing exponentially...!

Recommendation: Target OEPTC eligibility to low-income to moderate income individuals living in college residences.

What information did I emphasize: What’s the problem? Why is it a problem? Current status – Who does it affect? – (If possible) how many people does it affect? – Evidence to substantiate the problem – How does it interact with accessibility and quality (government priorities)? How do we solve the problem? – What the outcomes are if we solve the problem?

Questions MPPs may have: How much will it cost? Are these your biggest priorities? How many students does this impact? What are the expected outcomes from making this change? How will this strengthen accessibility and quality? What do other stakeholders say about this issue? What do you want me to do about it?

Sounds of silence: What are your thoughts in relation to what I’ve just said? Do you have any questions? Is there any other information that you’d like to know (we can look into it and get back to you- take notes!)? Segway into your next topic! Local issue Thank you for meeting with us and we look forward to working with you

Questions? Next: “practice” (Alan Iverson- who knows this reference?) “Hard on the training field, easy on the battle ground”