REGINA — Concerns about the future of a program that allows Ukrainian students to attend post-secondary institutions in Saskatchewan to pay domestic rates were front and centre at the Legislature this week.
Three Ukrainian students from the University of Saskatchewan were at the Legislature this week, where they raised concerns about a letter they received from the university that indicated the bursary program for Ukrainian students would end after the winter term in 2026.
The students called for the Ukrainian tuition program to continue.
“If this program genuinely gets cut, the price is going to be absolutely ridiculous,” said Ivan Teteria, a first year political studies student at University of Saskatchewan who fled from Ukraine. He said the cost would go up to $40,000 a year. “People who flee the war typically don’t have just $40,000 lying around. It’s just not how it works. We’re hoping this government accepts the idea of continuing this program. We want to see actions, we want to see this continue.”
Opposition critic Keith Jorgenson raised the issue in Question Period and accused the government of cutting the program. He said dozens of students were facing up to 500 per cent increases in tuition as a result.
“Why is the Sask Party government doing this to Ukrainian students who fled war, Mr. Speaker?” asked Jorgenson.
In response Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff denied that a cut was happening.
“There’s been no program cut, Mr. Speaker,” Cheveldayoff said in Question Period.
“Again it’s the NDP spinning things. There’s a program in place that goes until the end of March. It’s a federal government program that we jointly administer. We’ll be looking to see what the future brings for that. Again we’ll be looking at that very closely, Mr. Speaker.”
Following Question Period Cheveldayoff told reporters that it’s “a little premature in the legislature today to say that it’s a cut.”
Cheveldayoff said the program expires March 31, 2026, but they have not begun the consultations with the federal government yet on the program.
“It’s a joint program with the federal government and understanding is the most recent year 26 students in Saskatchewan taking advantage of this program.”
Cheveldayoff said this program has been very beneficial and said they would be “looking at this program and other programs” as they look towards the budget of next year.
He said on first blush that it was a “good program” and part of their commitment to help Ukrainians relocate in Saskatchewan.
As for the students’ concerns, Cheveldayoff said “I hope the Opposition isn’t heightening those concerns.”
“I think every member in the House should say that the program is in place ‘til March 31 and no decision has been made going forward… but based on the record of this government and how we’ve treated every individual, I think you can say that we’ll give every opportunity to extend those benefits if possible.”
