A new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives states that funding cuts at MUN combined with student tuition fee increases could result in undergrad students paying for a third of the province’s deficit by themselves.

The report, “Passing the Buck: The impact of increasing Memorial University tuition to pay down Newfoundland and Labrador’ s deficit”, highlights the increases that are incoming for students.

There will be a 150 per cent increase for in-province undergrads in fall 2022, bringing costs closer to major universities in BC, Alberta, and Ontario.

Similarly, fees for international students will double to over $81,000 for their degree – which they say is more expensive than any other university in Atlantic Canada.

Despite this, the report says the University won’t benefit from the increases, as their operating grant is set to be cut by the same amount.

The only beneficiary, they argue, is the province. But, report author and CCPA Senior Economist David McDonald argues that by the time cuts and increases come into full effect the province’s debt may already be paid off.

He cites debt reductions in the fall fiscal update, noting that when the numbers are revised for the spring budget the long-term projections for 2025/26 could see the province boasting a surplus.

He says the whole premise behind students paying for the province’s debt will “evaporate” because there won’t be one.