Students Commend the Government for Investments in Housing, Mental Health, and University Funding
Fredericton, NB - On Tuesday March 19th, 2023, the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) announced an investment of 12.7 million to increase the supply of post-secondary housing in New Brunswick. The government also announced a permanent 2.6% increase to the operating grant and an additional 1.5% based on enrollment. We also saw investments of 7 million for mental health and addictions service offerings which will be beneficial to students and 785,000 towards StudyNB programming.
NBSA responds to the resignation of former PETL Minister Arlene Dunn and appointment of new minister
On February 2nd, 2024 the Minister of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour Arlene Dunn announced her resignation from cabinet. The New Brunswick Student Alliance[NBSA] greatly appreciated Minister Dunn for her enduring dedication and steadfast commitment to the education sector. “Minister Dunn fostered an appreciable relationship with the NBSA, despite her brief time in office, steering us towards positive transformations within the education sector,” says Emily Boucher, chair of the NBSA.
NBSA Announces its Advocacy Week:
Investing in a Sustainable Future for the Leaders of Tomorrow
Fredericton, N.B – Fredericton, NB- From October 16th to 20th, 2023, the New Brunswick Student Alliance (hereinafter NBSA) plans to host Advocacy meetings while introducing the 'Investing in a Sustainable Future for Tomorrow's Leaders 2023-2024' advocacy document. This document will comprehensively outline our recommendations to the Government of New Brunswick, addressing critical areas within the post-secondary education landscape.
The NBSA Congratulates Executive Director on NB Youth Human Rights Awards.
Fredericton, N.B – The New Brunswick Student Alliance Board of Directors would like to express their sincere congratulations to the NBSA’s Executive Director, Sydona Chandon, for receiving the 2023 New Brunswick Youth Human Rights award. Chandon received this award on September 15th at a ceremony held at the Old Government House. The award celebrates and acknowledges her extraordinary work in student advocacy and her dedication to enhancing the lives of students and breaking down racial barriers in post-secondary education.
The NBSA Commends GNB for the development of the NB Public Universities Student Housing On-Campus Fund.
Fredericton, N.B – On Thursday June 29th, 2023 a Strategic Housing Plan for New Brunswick was announced and released by the Minister of Housing and Social Development, Jill Green. This plan was announced a few months after the New Brunswick Student Alliance brought forward a policy request for a strategic plan and specific funding towards affordable student housing in New Brunswick.
Find full Press Release below
Statement On Resignation of former Minister Holder
Fredericton, N.B –On Friday June 23rd, 2023 it was announced that Minister of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour Trevor Holder resigned from his role within the cabinet. The New Brunswick Student Alliance worked closely with former Minister Holder for the past 5 years in efforts to advance post-secondary education within our province.
Find full Press Release below
Provincial Budget Announcement 2023-24
Fredericton, N.B – On Tuesday March 21st, 2023, the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) announced an increase to the Student Financial Assistance program by $7.6 million through their loans and bursary programs. The government also announced a permanent 2% increase to the operating grant and an additional 1.5% based on enrollment.
Find full Press Release below
More Than Tuition Maritime Campaign
Fredericton, N.B – The New Brunswick Students Alliance [NBSA] is proud to announce a joint campaign collaboration with maritime provinces. This campaign is primarily focused on highlighting the actual costs of post-secondary education.
Find full Press Release below
NBSA responds to the
Cancellation of NB-EI Connect program
Fredericton, N.B – The New Brunswick Students Alliance [NBSA] was informed via email that the Government of New Brunswick will be immediately discontinuing the NB-EI Connects program which supported many students with financial help during the completion of their degrees.
Find full Press Release below
NBSA welcomes New Executive Director
Fredericton, N.B – The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Sydona S. Chandon as its new Executive Director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA). Sydona began her term on May 1st, 2022.
Find full Press Release below:ED Press Release
Shared Perspectives 2022
Fredericton, N.B – In a time of consistent financial precarity, nine student advocacy organizations across Canada have come together to release Shared Perspectives: A Joint Publication on the Changing Landscape of Student Financial Aid. This year's publication looks at how both provincial and federal governments can strengthen financial aid programs and frameworks to equitably distribute funding that targets students’ needs, especially following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full EN Publication here. Full FR Publication here.
Find full Press Release below:
Students Applaud the Elimination of Interest on the provincial portion of Student Loans and the Increase in Operating Grants for Universities
Fredericton, NB - On Tuesday, April 13, 2022, the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) announced the elimination of interest on the provincial portion of student loans and a 1.5% permanent increase in University operating grants to make post-secondary more affordable in the province. The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) applauds the Government for recognizing that investing in post-secondary education is building on the success of New Brunswick.
Find full Press Release below:
NBSA Announces it’s Advocacy Week 2021: Investing in New Brunswick’s Future through Postseconday Education
Fredericton, NB- From November 29th to December 3rd 2021, the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) will be conducting lobby meetings along with the release of the Investing in New Brunswick’s Future through Postsecondary Education 2021-2022 advocacy document. The document will outline our recommendations for the government of New Brunswick as they begin to work on their budget.
Full Advocacy Document can be found on our website at here
NBSA’s Reponse to ElectionsNB’s Investigation into Addressing Student Concerns with Voting
Fredericton, NB- The New Brunswick Student Alliance is pleased to see that ElectionsNB has taken actions into addressing the concerns brought forward by many postsecondary students during the 2020 provincial general election. We look forward to continuing the work with ElectionsNB to ensure that our stuents are able to continue exercising their right to vote without barriers in future elections.
NBSA Announces its Lobby Season: Breaking Barriers to Postsecondary Education
Fredericton, NB- From November 16th to 30th, 2020 the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) will be conducting lobby meetings along with the release of the Breaking Barriers to Postsecondary Education 2020-2021 advocacy document. The document will outline our recommendations for the government of New Brunswick as they begin to work on their budget.
NBSA’s Response to No Polling Stations on Campuses for the 2020 Provincial General Election
Fredericton, NB - On Monday, August 17th, 2020, Premier Blaine Higgs called for a snap election in New Brunswick for September 14th, 2020. The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) is gearing up for our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign to ensure that post secondary students in the province are well equipped to exercise their vote. However, the NBSA is disappointed to see that there will be no advanced polling stations on campuses this provincial election.
NBSA Welcomes New Executive Director
Fredericton, NB - The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Bibi Wasiimah Joomun as its new Executive Director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA). Joomun began her term on May 20, 2020.
NBSA’s Response to GNB’s Bridging Program for Vulnerable Students
Fredericton, NB - The Government of New Brunswick announced its new bridging program to support vulnerable students who do not qualify for other government funding. Students studying in New Brunswick qualify for up to $750 through their post-secondary institutions.
NBSA's Reaction to the Government of New Brunswick's Budget
Fredericton, NB - Yesterday, the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) released its budget for the 2020 - 2021 fiscal year. The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) is disappointed in the lack of investments in post-secondary education (PSE) which reflects the reality that the Government is unwilling to prioritize the needs of students.
NBSA’s RESPONSE TO SEED PROGRAM CHANGES
Fredericton, NB - On January 21, 2020, Hon. Trevor Holder, the minister responsible for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL), announced a series of changes to the application process for the Student Employment Experience Development (SEED) program. The employers who are qualified to participate in the program are now limited to First Nations, municipalities, and non-profit groups. The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) values the importance that the Government of New Brunswick (GNB) is placing on these organizations. However, these changes will limit the variety of working opportunities available for students who are interested in working within the business sector.
NBSA LAUNCHES ITS ANNUAL ADVOCACY WEEK: PRIORITIZING PEOPLE
Fredericton, NB - From November 12th to 15th, (we), the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) will be conducting our annual advocacy week with the release of the Prioritizing People, 2019 advocacy document. The document will outline our recommendations for the Government of New Brunswick as they begin to work on their annual budget.
Students seek public support for NBSA’s “Don't Cut Our Future” Campaign
Fredericton, NB—The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA) will be demonstrating our commitment to accessible education on September 26, 2019, at 4:30 pm by engaging our members in a rally on their respective campuses. Students from Mount Allison University and The University of New Brunswick Saint John will be assembling on their campus quads while the University of New Brunswick Student Union and St. Thomas University Students Union will be leading their members to the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly. Together, they are sending a united message to the Government of New Brunswick—no more cuts to post-secondary education.
The NBSA’s response to the Future Ready NB Gala Announcement
Fredericton, NB- This afternoon, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Trevor Holder, announced the Future Ready NB Gala and Workforce summit; which will be held in November of this year.
NBSA WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Fredericton, NB- The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Kjeld-Mizpah Conyers-Steede as its new Executive Director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA). Conyers-Steede began his term on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019.
New Brunswick Student Associations Collectively Denounce the Changes Made To Student Financial Aid
FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA), La Fédération des étudiantes et des étudiants du Campus universitaire de Moncton (FÉÉCUM), l’Association générale des étudiantes et des étudiants de l’Université de Moncton, campus d’Edmundston (AGÉÉUMCE), and l’Association étudiante de l’Université de Moncton, Campus de Shippagan (AÉUMCS) are jointly calling upon the Minister of Post-Secondary Education to reconsider his decisions with regard to the cuts made to student financial aid on April 9.
Students bring forward solutions to systemic barriers in postsecondary education
Fredericton, N.B. – This week students in New Brunswick are proposing comprehensive reforms aimed at addressing systemic barriers in the postsecondary sector in the Alliance’s latest advocacy document, “Building Access, Building New Brunswick.”
Maritime Students Respond To Concerning Cuts To Financial Aid, Institutional Funding, And Impacts To Campus Life By Ontario Government
Fredericton, NB- Yesterday, the Ontario government announced sweeping changes to tuition, financial aid, and mandatory fees. These changes include cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) grants, a reduction in domestic tuition by 10 per cent, and the elimination of “non-essential, non-tuition fees.”