Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that his government has eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans.
We’ve permanently eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans. And as young people head back to campus in the days and weeks to come, we’ll keep working to make sure they have the support they need to succeed.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 29, 2023
The move is one of a few steps, maybe too few, that the government is taking to “make life more affordable for Canadians” in a climate where people are growing increasingly frustrated with a government that can’t seem to solve problems just when they need to.
From increasing the Canada Child Benefit, to cutting child care costs, to eliminating interest on Canada Student Loans, we’re working to make life more affordable for Canadians. And as kids across the country get ready to head back to school, we’ll continue to do that work.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 28, 2023
On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, one user recounted how eliminating interest on student loans does not at all help in the backdrop of the crippling housing crisis.
Our child can’t afford to rent anywhere near her Post secondary nor pay the full tuition. So she lives at home. Because she lives at home she can’t qualify for a student loan. So not only are we barely making it, we pay for her tuition as well as she can’t get a loan. #canada https://t.co/r3NzVcQoVf
— deb gee (@debster_92) August 29, 2023
This tweet likely reflects the concerns of the average Canadian as the cost of housing continues to hit new highs. High interest rates and low supply have continued to squeeze the housing market, pushing the rental market to soar to an unprecedented asking price of $2,078 in July.
Trudeau’s government has yet to come up with a tangible solution to the more pressing housing problem — even after the recent cabinet retreat.
These announcements are also made at a time when the Liberals are losing support in polls, particularly in Ontario. Trudeau’s rating is sliding further — with 56% of Canadians now saying he should step down.
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