TORONTO - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced $2 billion dollars in infrastructure spending targeted at Colleges and Universities across Canada as part of the proposed federal budget. Lacking from the budget, however, were student support measures aimed at fostering the knowledge economy that Colleges and Universities can deliver.

"We are pleased that the government has not forgotten post-secondary education when planning for infrastructure spending across the country," said Trevor Mayoh, President of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. "However, if the government of Canada truly wants to create the 'jobs of tomorrow' then serious stimulus monies must be committed to enhance access to and persistence in higher education," continued Mayoh.

OUSA and its partners made the following recommendations for targeted investments in post-secondary education coming from a federal stimulus package:

- Increase up-front grants to students who find themselves unable to cope with costs of post-secondary education

- Invest 1.5 billion in Accumulated Deferred Maintenance at post- secondary institutions across the country

- Extend the non-repayment period for Canada Student Loans from the current 6 months to 12 months and make it interest free

- Provide a one time earmarked transfer to the provinces for post- secondary education to offset freezes or claw-backs in provincial post-secondary education funding

"Infrastructure funding is crucial, no doubt, however, if there is not a parallel commitment to ensure adequate funding for students and institutions we will witness strange times at post-secondary institutions as new buildings go up, while students and teachers wait out in the cold for government support," said Howie Bender, Executive Director of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA). "Too many Canadians are having difficulties paying the bills and keeping their jobs, properly funding students, professors and institutions is more important than ever."

OUSA delivered these recommendations to Minister Flaherty in partnership with the Alberta College and Technical Institute Student Executive Council (ACTISEC), the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS), the College Student Alliance (CSA) and the New Brunswick Student Alliance (NBSA).