The start of every new year signals anticipation for what the next 12 months will hold.
At Carleton University, a fresh start comes in the shape of new buildings, scholarships, and events. But campus activities aren’t the only changes students should expect, as the City of Ottawa and Province of Ontario will also offer new initiatives and opportunities for students in 2017.
Carleton University
2017 is a significant year for Carleton, as the school celebrates its 75th anniversary. The school will be hosting several events throughout the year.
Carleton’s anniversary launch event will take place on Jan. 18 at the University Centre galleria, hosted by hip hop musician Maestro Fresh Wes, who studied at Carleton in the 1980s.
Construction on the Health Sciences Building is also set to be completed by June. The building, which has been in the works since October 2015, will house the neuroscience program and a new health science program.
Transportation upgrades
The University of Ottawa (U of O) will soon be gaining Light Rail Transit (LRT), connecting it to Parliament and the VIA train station, in addition to other areas.
According to the OC Transpo website, the LRT Confederation line won’t be running until 2018, but the majority of construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017. The website states the line will have stops at Pimisi in the LeBreton Flats area, Lyon, Parliament, Rideau, University of Ottawa (U of O), and Tremblay.
Along with LRT development, OC Transpo also has new fares for the new year. According to the OC Transpo website, its annual fare hike went into effect New Year’s Day, and student cards have been replaced with the youth pass, which is available for anyone between the ages of six and 19.
OSAP
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) will be changing this year.
Students can receive up to $13,260 in grants if they are a full-time single student, and $22,440, if they are a married student or sole-support parent, according to the OSAP website. Students are also eligible for free tuition if they are studying full-time at a publicly-assisted college or university, their parents earn $50,000 or less per year, and students meet the eligibility requirements for OSAP.
Federal government funding
The 2016 federal budget stated an increase in funding towards post-secondary infrastructure, as well as more options for student loans and forgivable debts. The budget stated the federal government would spend $1.3 billion on infrastructure as opposed to the $500 million it spent in 2016-17.
Last year, changes to financial aid allowed low-income graduates to defer their student loan payments until they make more than $25,000 a year, and included an increase to the federal Canada Student Grant for students from low- and middle-income families, from $2,000 to $3,000.
Canada’s 150th birthday in Ottawa
Carleton isn’t the only place with a special anniversary in 2017, as the year marks Canada’s 150th anniversary.
From Jan. 16-22, the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will take place at TD Place Stadium. Winterlude will take place Feb. 3-20, with the theme of celebrating Canada’s achievements.
The city will be hosting 150th celebration events throughout the year, including the Red Bull Crashed Ice tour, the Grey Cup, and the 150th Canada Day celebrations.
– Photo by Trevor Swann
