Post-secondary students across the country have felt the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic and require the federal government’s continued support to ensure they succeed. While substantive investments have recently been made in supports like the Canada Student Grant and the Student Loans Repayment Assistance Program, more is needed to support those unable to access these investments.
Executive Summary
This paper is a summary of public opinion research that surveyed post-secondary students across Canada in late March and early April 2021. The results are meant to capture a snapshot of the student experience one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. It also serves as a follow-up to CASA’s May 2020 report, Students are Still Worried: COVID-19 and Post Secondary Education. Accordingly, this paper reflects how the challenges, gaps, and barriers presented in 2020 have evolved over the past year, as well as identify new or persistent concerns and priorities.
This public opinion research was commissioned by the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and conducted by Abacus Data.
www.CloseTheGaps.ca
Press Release
OTTAWA, January 30, 2019 – Students across the country are kicking off the Canadian Alliance of Students Associations’ (CASA) #CloseTheGaps campaign today, underlining the massive gaps in Canadian post-secondary education that have been exacerbated by the onset of the global pandemic. From the urgent need for action on student mental health, to the lack of digital broadband access, to the bleak job market, students want to channel this energy into tangible action to help support each other and to build a stronger post-secondary sector.
