Student Loan Forgiveness Canada Covid

NDP Calls on Liberals to Cancel Federal Student Loan Debt

Plan to Help Young Canadians Struggling with the Cost of Education

Emergency Student Benefit and Loan Limit Increase Also Proposed

The NDP on Saturday unveiled a plan to help young Canadians struggling with the high cost of education, including a proposal to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt per Canadian.

The plan also includes increasing the weekly maximum Canada Student Loan limit from $210 to $350 and expanding the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) to provide emergency financial relief to students and recent graduates who are unable to work or find work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We know that young Canadians are facing a tough time right now," said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. "They're struggling with the high cost of education, and they're struggling to find good jobs. This plan will help them get the support they need to succeed."

The NDP's proposal comes as the Canadian government is considering its own measures to help students and recent graduates. In November 2023, the government increased the maximum amount of student loan debt that can be forgiven under the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) from $40,000 to $60,000 for eligible doctors.

The NDP's plan is more ambitious than the government's current proposals. However, it remains to be seen whether the Liberals will support the NDP's plan, as the party does not have enough seats in Parliament to pass it on its own.