There has been legal action launched the New Brunswick Association of Private Colleges and Universities over the Gallant government’s so-called free tuition program which is only available to those attending public post-secondary institutions.
The association is looking for the Tuition Access Bursary, or TAB program, to be changed to include both public and private institutions.
Mike Murphy, former provincial Health Minister, is the association’s lawyer, and he tells us it’s discriminatory against a group of people.
The case is under section 15 of the Charter outlining discrimination against a group. Those attending “private” chose for various reasons
— Michael B Murphy QC (@monctonlawyer) January 20, 2017
“These people sometimes can only access these courses because they’re not offered by the public universities or colleges,” says Murphy.
“They can access them only sometimes because that’s in their location only — post-secondary education is not available throughout the province.”
He says the so called free tuition program is free if you live in the right place and have the right accountant.
Among reasons are lack of availability in public, financial, and geographic. Sometimes it’s all they can afford. More expensive but quicker
— Michael B Murphy QC (@monctonlawyer) January 20, 2017
Notice has been filed under the Proceedings Against the Crown Act and Murphy says, in a tweet, that in or about the 15th of March the application for hearing will be filed.
