Trent Wotherspoon and NDP MLAs speak at the La Ronge meeting. Photo courtesy @WotherspoonT, Twitter
Saskatchewan’s Opposition leader says the government needs to better consult with NORTEP/NORPAC officials and students before any changes to funding.
NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon was in La Ronge on Wednesday meeting with students and officials from the program.
Recently, the Saskatchewan Government revealed funding to the program would be re-directed to another post-secondary institution leaving many wondering what that would actually look like.
According to Wotherspoon during yesterday’s meetings, students and staff expressed their concerns over the changes.
“They aren’t getting answers, there is uncertainty and they are standing up and fighting for a program they know has been a benefit all through the north,” said Wotherspoon.
The government has said any changes to the program could be months away and they want to ensure students interest are put first, before any changes.
However, Wotherspoon says students expressed the government is not consulting them well enough during this process.
“I believe it is clear the government has a hidden agenda here and they are ramming forward with changes,” said the NDP leader. “What’s not clear is what the impacts of what this will be, why they are ramming the changes forward and what’s being placed at risk.”
In a statement from the province they say they need to consolidate the programs in La Ronge to ensure sustainable access to university level classes for northern students.
The province says NORTEP officials and the Ministry of Advanced Education are working together to outline a process to evaluate and recommend a post-secondary provider.
Once this process is established, NORTEP will seek further input from students, staff and the community.