By Howell Repaja, Director of Internal Affairs, Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College (SUVCC)
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of presenting to the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services on behalf of the Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College. It was a unique opportunity to bring student voices directly to the policymakers shaping our province’s future—and I’m proud to say that our message was not only heard but truly resonated.
At the heart of our presentation was a simple yet powerful truth: Post-Secondary Education is not a cost—it is an INVESTMENT. It is an investment in our students, our communities, and the long-term economic growth of British Columbia.
As I shared the personal and collective struggles students face—rising tuition fees, reduced program options, and the erosion of education quality due to budget shortfalls—the MLAs listened closely. When I spoke of education as a strategic investment that produces talent, fuels innovation, and attracts future investors, I noticed many engaged faces, their eyes focused and attentive, clearly moved by what I was saying. They were receptive. It was clear they understood that we cannot build a strong economy without supporting the very institutions that train the people who will power it. One of the most meaningful reactions came when I stated that education is essential to the future of our province and that without consistent public funding, we risk undermining both equity and economic development. This was not a political pitch—it was a call to action.
We presented two key recommendations:
1. Strengthen the Tuition Limit Policy
The 2% cap on domestic tuition increases is critical, but institutions are undermining its intent by introducing new fees or reclassifying costs. The policy must be enforced and strengthened to ensure affordability and transparency.
2. Restore public funding to cover at least 75% of institutional Operating Budgets Public education should be publicly funded. Reversing the decline in core operating grants is the first and most necessary step to ensuring institutional sustainability and student success.
Programs like ASL Interpreting, Spa Therapy, Automotive Services and others—essential to meeting BC’s labor market demands—cannot thrive without government support. Education should be publicly funded, affordable and accessible. Students are the future of this province and if we want skilled professionals, we need to invest in the institutions that train them.
On behalf of students at Vancouver Community College, we urge you to treat post-secondary education not just as an expense, but as an investment in our province’s future.
Let’s work together to ensure that our colleges and universities receive the funding they need to produce the next generation of workers, innovators, and community leaders.
To our members, your voices are making an impact. Let’s collectively continue fighting for affordable and accessible education for all.