In this year’s budget, the College of the North Atlantic’s operating grant was reduced by $2 million. Management officials at the College have stated that today’s cuts were a direct result of this decrease in funding from government.

"Government tried to hide these budget cuts by announcing it one day in advance of the largest strike in the province’s history," said Ms. Thistle. "As time goes on, I am certain that there will more announcements of this type. Decisions that were made and overshadowed over the past several weeks are now going to affect the people and services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This latest measure is just the tip of the iceberg of what is yet to come.

"When making their budget decisions, government surely knew that these positions would have to be eliminated. These are instructors and support staff that help teach our students and ensure that the College is run effectively on a daily basis. What impact will today’s announcement have on the education of our students? This government continues to create a social deficit with every decision they make. No service or program is safe with their axe swinging agenda.

"I ask the minister, what will be the impact to educational programming at the College in light of these cuts? What will be the impact next year? Can students expect another tuition increase next semester to compensate for further cuts that are sure to come? What cuts will be made at Memorial University when they try to find the same $2 million that government has cut from their budget? For a government that claims to support post-secondary education, their methods do little to strengthen our system. This government has misled the people of the province from day one, and I fear what further decisions will be made in the future.

"If this government was serious about post-secondary education in the province, they would increase the funding to our institutions instead of reducing it every chance they get. If they truly want to grow the economy of our province, they should realize that education is the first step to prosperity. The money invested in our educational system cannot be considered a waste."