Keith Morrison
New Democratic Party of Canada
keithmorrison.ndp.ca
Keith Morrison shares:
Thank you for your leadership and advocacy on behalf of more than 5,000 academic workers in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. You play a vital role not only in defending fair employment for teaching staff, assistants, and researchers — but in ensuring quality education for thousands of students who rely on your work every day.
As the NDP candidate for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, I want you to know that I share your concerns — and your commitment to building a post-secondary education system that is affordable, accessible, publicly funded, and fair to those who work within it.
- What’s your number one priority for post-secondary education?
Our top priority is making post-secondary education tuition-free for all — and supporting the institutions and workers who make that education possible.
The NDP believes education is a public good, not a private commodity. No one should be denied access to university or college because of cost, and no educator should be forced into precarious, underpaid work to make that education possible.
- Do you have a plan to make post-secondary education more affordable?
Yes. The NDP is committed to:
- Eliminating interest on federal student loans (we’ve already made progress, but we won’t stop there)
- Converting student loans into non-repayable grants for low- and middle-income students
- Investing in tuition reduction programs with provinces and territories to move toward fully public, tuition-free post-secondary education
- Increasing direct federal support to post-secondary institutions through the Canada Social Transfer, tied to clear conditions around affordability, accessibility, and labor standards
We also support programs that reduce non-tuition costs — such as public transit, housing, and mental health services — to make education more sustainable for students.
- Do you think post-secondary education should be affordable for everyone?
Absolutely. We believe education should be a right, not a debt sentence. The average $25,000 in student debt is a barrier to opportunity — and a drag on the economy. We must build a system that lifts students up, not burdens them for decades.
- What’s your position on student loans?
The NDP has long called for the elimination of student debt and a move toward publicly funded, grant-based education. While we’ve pushed for interest-free loans, our ultimate goal is to make student loans unnecessary through robust public funding.
- What’s your plan to ensure Canadian students can access opportunities in post-secondary education?
We’ll ensure access by:
- Expanding non-repayable grants and removing financial barriers
- Investing in supports for underrepresented students — including Indigenous, racialized, and low-income students
- Working with provinces to increase base funding to institutions, reduce tuition, and reverse the corporatization of campuses
- Are you concerned about course cuts and layoffs at Dalhousie and SMU?
Yes. Course cuts, hiring freezes, and layoffs hurt students and workers alike. They reflect a funding crisis in post-secondary education that must be addressed.
The NDP supports increased, stable, and predictable federal transfers to post-secondary institutions, tied to conditions that protect public oversight, good jobs, and educational access. We also support federal frameworks that encourage provinces to reinvest in education — not download costs onto students and staff.
- Do you see a role for the federal government in funding post-secondary education?
Absolutely. While education is a provincial jurisdiction, the federal government already plays a major role — and it should play a stronger one.
We propose:
- Boosting the Canada Social Transfer with strings attached to ensure funding goes to education — not general revenue
- Investing in research, student supports, and campus infrastructure as part of a green and inclusive recovery
- Creating national standards for post-secondary education, including fair labor practices and affordability benchmarks
You have my commitment to be a strong voice in Ottawa for students, staff, and faculty across Nova Scotia. Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind — in the classroom or on the job.
