On Tuesday, Naomi Yamamoto, Liberal MLA for North Vancouver, was sworn in as the Minister of Advanced Education in Premier Christy Clark’s cabinet. The appointment makes her the government’s point-person for both colleges and universities. The Ubyssey spoke with Yamamoto the day after she assumed the position, in her first official interview on post-secondary education.

Ubyssey: Having just been named to Cabinet and also becoming the first Japanese-Canadian minister, this must be a pretty exciting but emotional time for you.

Yamamoto: I am just really thrilled to be in this new role. I grew up in a family where post-secondary education was mandatory; I didn’t think I had a choice. However, my enthusiasm is dampened with everything that is happening in Japan right now. I have mixed feelings.

U: How was your past experience with Capilano College?

Y: It was a wonderful experience. I am an alumnus of UBC, but my experience on the board at Capilano College was exceptional and I’m so proud of them and their change in designation to achieving status as a university.

U: The Ministry of Advanced Education was recently resurrected by combining two former portfolios. What was the reason for this change?

Y: It feels right to have one ministry to represent both colleges, universities and private institutions.

U: What are the goals or policies that you will be working on in Advanced Education?

Y: Generally, we need to make sure we deliver the message to young people, as well as people in jobs where they see a short horizon and where post-secondary education is very valuable. Seventy-five per cent of jobs are going to require post-secondary education and we need to make sure that message gets out.

U: Today, 700 students from across the province gathered to protest against rising student debt and cuts to student financial aid. BC students have the highest debt in Canada with the average borrower graduating with $27,000 of debt. What do you think is the best way to reduce this debt load on students?

Y: We have to look at what that investment is. If you believe that your education is an investment in your future, as I believe it is, you need to look at the return. Statistics show that someone with a post-secondary education degree will earn $650,000 more over their career than someone who doesn’t get that degree, so put that into perspective. The debt burden, I know it’s hard to manage sometimes, but as long as we’re keeping it manageable it’s a good investment.

U: One of the issues that affect most students in Vancouver is the BC student loan program, which is very outdated. For example, it allocates $650/month for rent per student. At UBC, the average rent for a student living within a 20-minute commute to campus is $1000. Is restructuring the BC student loan program a top priority for your ministry?

Y: Our student loan program is quite robust, and there will be anomalies because of the difference in accommodations across the province. We need to attempt to look at the broader issues, like limiting tuition fee rates to two per cent increases. If you look at tuition across Canada, we are still seeing 50 per cent less in increases.

U: BC has the highest interest rate on student loans in Canada, whereas other provinces have zero interest or charge interest at [a lower] cost. Is it viable for BC to reduce the student loan interest rate in the future?

Y: That is always something that I can look at; I’ve heard the concerns of students. It’s important to remember that it is the taxpayer who pays the interest on that student loan during the time the student is in school. Right now taxpayers pay for two-thirds of a student’s education. We need to be careful to balance the investment of the student and the amount of taxpayer contribution as we look ahead at the value of post-secondary education.

U: There’s been a university funding freeze for the three years, in addition to over 40 per cent cuts in student financial assistance. Is Advanced Education a part of Premier Clark’s strong focus on families?

Y: Post-secondary education is definitely falling under the Families First policy. It all comes down to jobs. For our economy to really tick, we need the educated students to meet labour market demands that will be coming up. In terms of student debt, students need to have a job to go to after graduation. If we get that right, then families are stronger.

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