Mr. Gulliver, we've heard other witnesses speak about this, and perhaps you can answer this question as well. Generally speaking, a lot of Canadians have had their mental health impacted by the pandemic. What has been the experience of students at the University of Ottawa, anecdotally from what you've heard?

2:55 p.m.

Advocacy Commissioner, University of Ottawa Students’ Union

Timothy Gulliver

Both anecdotally and statistically, we are seeing the same trends among youth that Statistics Canada is reporting, which is a significant worsening in the mental health of students. As you are well aware, mental health among students is one of the most important issues. It's a very important issue on campus, especially in the context of the mental health crisis that we find ourselves in. We are extremely concerned and worried by what the future will look like, and we have seen a quite substantial amount of students feel less motivated and less productive. That obviously takes a toll on them, and we are very concerned about that.

3 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

Mr. Gulliver, moving forward, even today in our discussion we've heard a lot about the post-COVID-19 workforce and the labour force.

As a young person in university, what can you say about what we as parliamentarians do to equip young people with the skills that they need for the 21st century?

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Give a short answer, please, Mr. Gulliver.

3 p.m.

Advocacy Commissioner, University of Ottawa Students’ Union

Timothy Gulliver

That's a very broad question, but what I would say.... Perhaps it's not a very direct answer, but the situation is changing very rapidly. I think it's important to keep students in the conversation, to keep unions in the conversation as we move forward because the challenges are definitely great, and to provide students with those work opportunities they might have lost this summer because of co-op opportunities that fell through or internships that fell through. That's very worrisome, and we want to see a more robust infrastructure in that regard in the future.

3 p.m.

Conservative

Brad Vis Conservative Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, BC

I think that's a very good point to end on.

Thank you so much for your testimony today.

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Thank you, Mr. Vis.

Thank you, Mr. Gulliver.

Finally, we're going to go to Mr. Dong, please, for five minutes.

3 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Thank you very much, Chair.

I want to thank all the witnesses for coming today and answering all these great questions with very good answers.

I want to go to Mr. Faye first and talk about international students.

In my previous role, I was a provincial member and helped roll out the free tuition policy here in Ontario. Unfortunately, when the current government came in, that program was replaced by a commitment to reduce the tuition by 10%, no matter if it was a college or a university. They are all required to reduce their tuition by 10%. In a way, I see that this is going to put additional pressure on the tuition for international students.

Have you seen that effect taking place in Ontario?

3 p.m.

President, University of Ottawa Students’ Union

Babacar Faye

Yes. In Ontario, when it comes to international students and that perception.... I have been doing research looking into the trends in Ontario, and there is a trend of reduction, first of all, in the share of government investment in post-secondary education.

The reduction in the federal share is compounded by the provincial reduction of investment, which is forcing us to seek alternative funding. With that alternative funding they usually seek to raise fees to alleviate that funding burden for the budgets. International students receive the brunt of that raise. You can see that with the tuition fees, and also with the different costs they face.

Also, we can see that international students are severely impacted by the reductions of.... They are used as cash cows—I hate to use these words, but these are the words that were used, I believe. When it comes to tuition fees, if you look at the differences, they usually pay tens of thousands more than domestic students in tuition fees. It's hard to discount that statement.

3 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

Yes, they support such a large portion of our economy. I think it's fair to say that it's unfair to a lot of international students. Respecting the difference in jurisdiction, we know that higher education is mainly under provincial jurisdiction, but the federal government has been quite supportive and moved very quickly during COVID-19. I remember the exemption for a valid student visa so they can still enter Canada, as well as the broadening of the 20-hour-per-week work limit for international students. If they are in essential services, they're allowed to work and earn income. I want to thank them for all the work they do.

As well, if someone cannot come to Canada due to—

3 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Mr. Chair—

3 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Just a second, Mr. Dong.

3 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

There is a problem with the interpretation again.

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

I don't know if the problem is related to interpretation, because there was also a lot of noise on the line. I think it might be a connection issue. I'll see if I can get it fixed.

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

May I continue, Mr. Chair?

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Is it working, Ms. Chabot?

3:05 p.m.

Bloc

Louise Chabot Bloc Thérèse-De Blainville, QC

Yes.

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Please go ahead, Mr. Dong. You have about one minute left.

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

I'll go very quickly.

We made a whole range of policy changes in support of international students, including those who cannot enter Canada. They are allowed to study up to 50% of their coursework abroad.

What's your comment on that? What do you hear from your membership and the people around you, especially the international students? Are these policies working and benefiting them?

3:05 p.m.

President, University of Ottawa Students’ Union

Babacar Faye

I think these policies bring a certain benefit, but when it comes to the job limits and job hours, it's hard for international students to see the benefits, because of the lack of offers and the lack of jobs that are available right now in general because of the effects of the pandemic.

I believe that more could be done to directly support international students to relieve their burdens. I think that often they're not able to reach these resources, and they don't usually have the resources—

3:05 p.m.

Liberal

Han Dong Liberal Don Valley North, ON

I don't have much time.

What kind of direct support—

June 12th, 2020 / 3:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Sean Casey

Actually, you don't have any.

Thank you, Mr. Dong, and—

3:05 p.m.

Liberal