Welcome to our website where you will find information about the newly created Commission on Tuition Fees and Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba. The provincial government set up this commission as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure post-secondary education is accessible and affordable to as many Manitoba students as possible.

The eight-month commission review, announced in Budget 2008, was funded through Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy.

What's New - April 2nd, 2009:

Commission on Tuition Fees and Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba. Report to the Minister of Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy (pdf 474 KB)

The Mission

To review the province's policy on affordability, accessibility and on the relationship between tuition fees and student aid and accessibility to post-secondary education in Manitoba. The commissioner has outlined the recommendations in a report to the Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy Minister dated March 31, 2009.

The Process

The commissioner consulted with stakeholders including universities, colleges, student groups, as well as interested external groups recommended by Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy.

While the eight-month review did not include public hearings, the commission welcomed online submissions with ideas, comments and suggestions from interested individuals and organizations.

The Terms of Reference

• review international research on the relationship between tuition fees and university accessibility
• analyze data on university participation in Manitoba, focusing on under-represented groups (including Aboriginal, rural, northern, part time and mature students)
• analyze current tuition and extra fees at Manitoba's post-secondary institutions and compare them to those in other provinces and countries
• review the main sources of student aid in Manitoba (federal, provincial and institutional) and analyze their impact on accessibility
• review the contribution of student fees to the overall financing of post-secondary education in Manitoba and compare it to other provinces and countries
• review the impact and role of provincial education tax credits
• recommend public policy on the topic, including legislation if appropriate

The Commissioner

University of Toronto professor Dr. Ben Levin was appointed as commissioner of this review by Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford.

Dr. Levin is a respected academic and administrator who is familiar with Manitoba's post-secondary education system and is well known for his work in educational policy and reform at national and international levels.

Dr. Levin is currently a professor and Canada Research Chair in Theory and Policy Studies at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
He has also served as:

• deputy minister of Ontario's Education Ministry (2004-2007)
• deputy minister of Manitoba Advanced Education and Manitoba Education, Training and Youth (1999-2002)

Privacy Policy

Information from online submissions may have been incorporated into the Commission's public reports.

Any personal information provided through the Commission on Tuition Fees and Accessibility to Post Secondary Education in Manitoba printed on the website or in the Commission’s public reports is in compliance with The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

For more information on Manitoba's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, please visit the government of Manitoba's privacy statement web page.