Some Canadian universities are raising tuition fees for the new school year, much to the consternation of students.
They argue their costs should be going down, not up in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While schools argue they need an infusion of cash to deal in part with the higher costs of remote teaching and learning, students say they already face challenges, like summer employment.
The University of Manitoba announced last week it would be raising tuition by an average of 3.75 per cent.
Most undergrads will be paying about 250 dollars more a year for a full course load but others will pay 640 more.
Even in Ontario, where tuition was cut and then frozen for two years last year, the University of Guelph is among schools that have raised tuition for international students.
They generally pay significantly more than their Canadian counterparts.
The university said the increase that took effect this spring was similar to hikes adopted by peer institutions although its overall rates were lower than theirs.
Similarly, the University of Toronto said tuition for international undergrads has gone up for the summer session by an average of 5.4 per cent.