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Student Issues |
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Frank talking to a group of students concerned about future opportunities for jobs. |
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Student Issues |
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Frank talking to a group of students concerned about future opportunities for jobs. |
The life of a student has become much more difficult in recent years. Increasing tuition fees and less opportunities for summer jobs, have placed an undue burden on families and students alike. Upon graduation many students find that they have accumulated thousands of dollars in student loans that will take years to repay, and the prospect of finding a good paying job is even more daunting, especially in the North.
Youth out-migration
While many graduating students will want to venture out to seek greener
pastures elsewhere, many would want to remain in their home town and build a
family here. Unfortunately, that choice is not always available and many have
and continue to leave this City and region. (see article on youth
out-migration).
Frank has remained involved with the Lakehead University Alumni and participates in many functions on campus and throughout the community. In the picture on the left, he is enjoying a day of golf with the CMA team at the recent L.U. Alumni Golf Tournament.
My own experience
As a graduating student in 1984 I also faced the prospect of having to leave
the city to find work. I was lucky to find a good job in my field as a cost
analyst at Kimberly Clark of Canada in Longlac, only three and one half hours
drive from Thunder Bay. I was able to come home almost every week-end. Most of
my fellow graduates went out west, down east, and the United States.
The opportunity cost
The loss of young, educated professionals has and will continue to place a
heavy burden on this region's ability to grow and prosper. We cannot allow our
best and brightest entrepreneurial minds to continue leaving this city without
undermining the future viability of our community.
Pullia's Economic Vision and Action Plan
As Councillor, I will help initiate a multifaceted action plan to create opportunities
for our young people and good paying jobs on which to raise a family. My years
of work with multinational corporations in the
city and region, plus my vast experience in
economic development, business, and
labour, give me the knowledge and expertise to
implement this forward-thinking action plan.
Background information on the Economic Plan
While the details of this plan will be released during the campaign at the
appropriate time, background information is available in the articles I wrote
for the Thunder Bay Post column "A
Window on the City", which I urge every one to read.