Students at Malaspina University-College in Nanaimo, British Columbia, are the first to learn the impact of tuition deregulation. The Malaspina administration will recommend to its board that tuition next year increase 98 per cent for first- and second-year students and 32 per cent for third- and fourth-year students.

The administration is also proposing further increases of 20 per cent in each of the following two years.

Richard Johnston, Malaspina's president, and his executive colleagues argue, "Tuition is a complex issue, and often an emotional one as well. Higher tuition may mean that some students can no longer afford an education. But without an increase, the quality of education deteriorates."

"When the Campbell government says it is putting students first, it means first in line for massive tax increases and fewer services," said Summer McFadyen, B.C. chair of the Canadian Federation of Students. "These dramatic increases, coupled with the elimination of first-year grants, will keep many students from getting further education."

Jamie Brennan, vice-president of the College Institute Educators' Association of B.C. and past-president of Malaspina University-College Faculty Association said the tuition increase follows the elimination of funding for several programs and services that helped people on income assistance pursue post-secondary education as a way of moving out of poverty.

"These increases will ensure that, as one Campbell minister stated, 'the rich get richer and the poor get poorer'," Brennan said.