During this week’s council meeting, Oak Bay council adopted two resolutions meant to address affordability and food insecurity challenges facing post-secondary students throughout BC.
The first resolution calls for a $10 per day flat-rate ferry fare pilot program to be implemented through BC Ferries.
This would be meant specifically for post-secondary students travelling as foot passengers during non-peak hours.
Students currently pay full adult fares on BC Ferries, even though they have limited incomes and rising cost-of-living pressures.
The resolution points out that these conditions create barriers for students trying to access education-related opportunities, employment and family-related travel.
According to the resolution, the most impacted are students travelling between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
“We are in an affordability crisis. Things are hard for everyone, and it’s especially challenging for students right now,” said Councillor Carrie Smart, who moved both resolutions.
“I am happy to support advocacy for an initiative that makes it easier for post-secondary students to access co-op employment, and traveling home to visit their family.”
The second resolution urges the creation of a provincial Student Food Security Grant, which would be equivalent to approximately $1.50 per enrolled post-secondary student.
This investment would be directed to supporting campus food banks operated by student unions.
Councillor Smart points to the increased food bank usage driven by inflation and rising living costs as the motivation for implementing this resolution province-wide.
“It is heartbreaking to hear about the dramatic increase in food bank use at our student campuses,” explained Smart.
“I am pleased to be able to support advocacy for sustainable access to student food banks, so that post-secondary students can focus on learning. Students shouldn’t have to choose between buying books or their next meal.”
Despite the support for these resolutions, their adoption in Oak Bay will not mean immediate change.
Next steps will see the two resolutions advanced to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) conference for consideration.
At the conference, Vancouver Island municipalities and First Nations members will consider them each, thereby providing a united front to the Province to advocate for their implementation via the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
AVICC will meet next in Victoria between April 24th and 26th.
In addition to the Oak Bay council supporting these resolutions, Saanich Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff has introduced identical resolutions for the Saanich council’s consideration in an act of solidarity.
Saanich will consider these resolutions on March 2nd.
