OCUFA Submission: Bill 166, the Strengthening Accountability and Student

However, the Bill is silent on the root causes of the student mental health crisis, hate and racism, and the affordability crisis in postsecondary education. [...] To effectively address student mental health, combat racism and hate, and address the increasing cost of attending university in Ontario, the Ontario government must address the manufactured crisis of chronic underfunding in Ontario’s postsecondary institutions. [...] To effectively address the unaffordability crisis of postsecondary education, a policy that grants the Minister the authority to issue directives regarding the cost of attending college and university is both inadequate and a cause for concern. [...] University autonomy grants each university the ability to respond to the needs of its community, students, and faculty, and it fosters the distinct character and culture of each institution, contributing to differentiation and providing unique value to local communities and the people of Ontario. [...] Otherwise, the government risks threatening the highly regarded principles of university autonomy and academic freedom, and contributing to the censorship, intimidation, and attacks on scholars who express views Page 5 of 6 on issues that are not in line with the view of their university administration or government.