Providing free tuition to low and middle income families in New Brunswick is a great step in helping break the cycle of poverty.
That’s according to Monique Richard, President of the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation.
She says the high cost of tuition is a huge barrier for poor families, and this change gives them hope.
“For those people that their families are poor it’ll help them get education and make something out of their lives and be successful,” says Richard.
She adds this move will help fill the jobs gap in the province.
“Because it will be an advantage to all of us here in New Brunswick,” says Richard. “Trades are something that’s needed in this province, and we’ll get more trades people in there and more money in our economy.”
Richard says accessibility to post secondary education gives the poor a chance to better themselves like she did.
“I was poor once, and I went to college and now I have a great career,” says Richard. “And I’m a big buy local person so I spend my money in my community.”
Richard admits the changes won’t happen overnight, but a more educated population with better paying jobs will pump more money into the economy.
