Liberal leader Brian Gallant is promising to raise the free tuition benefit threshold to $70,000 from $60,000 and then index it to inflation.
Gallant said his government would also make increases to the sliding scale of the middle-class tuition relief program.
“Offering free tuition to those that need it the most and tuition relief for the middle class will change lives,” Gallant said, “as it will create more opportunities for our youth to stay here in New Brunswick while creating a fairer economy.”
Gallant also slammed Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs during his stop at UNB Saint John on Tuesday.
“He has made it clear that he would rip up the free tuition program, even if more than 6,300 New Brunswick students benefitted from the investment last year alone,” he said.
Gallant says a Liberal government would increase the threshold for the free tuition program to $70,000 from the current $60,000. pic.twitter.com/yN9tQ1m0RM
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 4, 2018
Gallant would not reveal the costs right now but said the investment will give a “great return” to the province.
The Liberals cut some student aid to make way for the free tuition program and Gallant was asked about the tradeoff.
“The program was one that was designed where people would receive support only after they graduated,” he said, “so you could make an argument that it was a retention program, but the [New Brunswick Student Alliance], and I think other statistics, demonstrate that it wasn’t a successful retention program.”
