SOUND OFF: Opening even more doors for former youth in care
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EVERYONE IN B.C. SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY to pursue their dreams and create the lives they want for themselves. For many people, those life and career goals will require some kind of post-secondary education or training.
But for people who grew up or spent time in government care, accessing post-secondary education and training can be more difficult. The cost of tuition, as well as books, computers and supplies, can be a barrier to reaching those life goals.
That’s why, when we formed government in 2017, New Democrats were pleased to make tuition at public post-secondary institutions free for youth between the ages of 19 and 26 who had been in care. Since then, nearly 2,000 young people have used the program to pursue education or training programs so that they could achieve their goals and participate in the workforce.
We know, however, that life and career goals don’t become any less important when someone turns 27. Last week, we stood together to announce that the program is being expanded to include all former youth in care – no matter what age they start or finish their post-secondary education or training. The expansion will take affect this August, in time for the start of the next academic year.
