Issue
Education
Federal levers in an area of constitutional provincial jurisdiction (section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867). Federal funding flows mostly through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act (Canada Student Loans, Canada Student Grants), the Apprenticeship Loans program, the Canada-Provincial Job Fund agreements, and the Indigenous Services Canada First Nations education funding stream. The 2023 federal budget eliminated interest on Canada Student Loans permanently. Federal-foreign-credential-recognition policy under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is the active federal-provincial flashpoint, especially for internationally trained physicians and nurses; Bill C-286 of 44-1 (Recognition of Foreign Credentials Act) tried to formalize a federal framework. Quebec's specific status under the Education Quality and Accountability Office and the K-to-CEGEP-to-university system remains protected by the Constitution Act, 1867 even where federal funding flows.
Where parties stand
Compare side-by-side- Bloc QuébécoisBLOC
The Bloc Québécois holds that education is the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces under section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867. It opposes federal student-loan changes that override Quebec's separate Aide financière aux études program, supports federal transfers to Quebec for post-secondary education and skills training, and has voted against federal bills that would create direct federal program delivery in education (e.g., the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act amendments).
Source - Conservative Party of CanadaCONSERVATIVE
The federal Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre treats education as primarily provincial jurisdiction under section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867 and section 92(7) and 92(16). Supports continued federal student-loan interest at zero (a Liberal 2023 policy the Conservatives have not pledged to reverse), expansion of the Canada Training Credit for skills development (Bill C-19 of 44-1 implementation), Tax-Free Home Savings Account expansion (FHSA $8K annual + $40K lifetime), and opposes any federal direct delivery of K-12 program components. Calls for federal funding parity for francophone-minority and Indigenous on-reserve K-12 systems.
Source The federal Green Party platform calls for tuition-free post-secondary education funded through expanded federal transfers, cancellation of federal student-loan debt up to $35,000 per borrower, indigenous K-12 funding parity with provincial systems (currently federal on-reserve schools receive 30 to 50 percent less per student per Auditor General reports), and permanent residency pathways for international students after two years of study and work.
Source- Liberal Party of CanadaLIBERAL
The federal Liberal Party under Mark Carney set Canada Student Loan interest permanently to zero (Bill C-47 Budget Implementation Act 2023, S.C. 2023, c. 26, sections 196 to 199 effective April 1, 2023), committed to permanent Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care funding ($10-a-day target, $30 billion over five years; expires 2026 under federal-provincial bilaterals if not renewed), launched the Sustainable Jobs Training Centre under Bill C-50 (Sustainable Jobs Act, S.C. 2024, c. 19, royal assent June 20, 2024) for fossil-fuel-worker transition, and committed to the Canada Disability Benefit Act (S.C. 2023, c. 17) phase-two expansion beyond the current $200 per month.
Source The federal NDP under Jagmeet Singh secured the permanent zero interest on Canada Student Loans (Bill C-47, S.C. 2023, c. 26, sections 196 to 199, effective April 1, 2023) as a key deliverable of the Liberal-NDP Supply and Confidence Agreement, calls for federal student-loan debt cancellation up to $20,000 per borrower, federal funding parity for on-reserve K-12 education with provincial systems (currently 30 to 50 percent underfunded per Auditor General reports), expanded EI eligibility for international students who have worked in Canada under the Post-Graduate Work Permit, and permanent residency pathways for international students after two years of study and work.
Source
Bills affecting this issue
- Bill 15Provincial51st General Assembly of Newfoundland and LabradorThird reading
Trades Modernization Act
NL Trades Modernization Act expanding apprenticeship and credential recognition.
- Bill 220Provincial43rd Parliament of OntarioThird reading
Skilled Trades Acceleration Act
Expands Ontario apprenticeship intake and accelerates foreign-credential recognition for tradespeople.
- C-266Federal45-1Second reading
An Act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility
National framework on skilled trades and labour mobility.
- C-217Federal45-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act and the Income Tax Act
Expands federal student-loan forgiveness for rural-and-remote-area professionals beyond doctors and nurses.
- Bill 209Provincial43rd Parliament of OntarioRoyal assent
Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act
Codifies the 2024 Ontario ministerial directive restricting cellphone use in K-12 classrooms.
- C-35Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Federal-provincial early learning and child care framework. Most provinces have signed bilateral agreements.
- C-328Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting the development of a national strategy on student loan debt
Student debt national strategy framework.
- C-309Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (public institutions)
Prevents public institutions from using BIA/CCAA to shed obligations.
- C-301Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Student Loans Act and the Apprentice Loans Act (interest on student loans)
Canada Student Financial Assistance Act + Apprenticeship Act amendments.
- S-215Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions
Prevents public post-secondary institutions from using federal insolvency law to shed obligations. Response to Laurentian University CCAA case.
- C-260Federal44-1First reading
An Act relating to cash contributions by Canada and to criteria and conditions in respect of post-secondary education
Canada Post-Secondary Education Act with CHA-style conditions.
- C-255Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act
Expands student financial assistance with tighter loan interest rules.
- C-208Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting early learning and child care
PMB version of the Early Learning and Child Care Act later carried as government C-35.