NDP Youth Engagement critic wants all student loan repayments paused

YORK SOUTH—WESTON — Faisal Hassan, MPP for York South—Weston and NDP Youth Engagement Critic, says on top of the Ontario NDP’s call for Doug Ford to pause collections and interest on student loans during the pandemic, the federal Minister of Employment and Social Development Ahmed Hussen needs to put a pause on billing new grads.

Last week, NDP Universities and Colleges critic Chris Glover urged the provincial government to extend the deferral on OSAP debt repayments during the pandemic. Hassan said students, recent graduates and young people in general are dealing with financial and emotional hardship brought on by COVID-19, and they need relief from the financial pressures of student debt at both the provincial and federal levels.

“As Youth Engagement critic for the Official Opposition, I have heard from recent graduates that it’s been extremely difficult to start a career in their field over the last year – leaving many youth unemployed, or struggling with part-time or gig work,” said Hassan.

Zeyd Hassan, who lives in York South—Weston, is one of the young people struggling with student loan payments during the pandemic.

“Students are having to pay their monthly student loans, but because of COVID-19, it's been a struggle. Many of my fellow students are barely earning enough to pay rent and buy groceries. Young people shouldn’t have to go hungry to send money to the government right now, nor should they have to rack up more interest because of the pandemic," said Zeyd Hassan, who has no relation to Faisal Hassan.

Faisal Hassan is calling on the federal government to take action to address those hardships and immediately place a moratorium on student loan repayments.

**Letter from MPP Hassan to Minister Hussen attached.