This section is Presented This section was produced by the editorial department. The client was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. by HAVEN HOME HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING “Students want to be able to afford education and university and costs of living and we really can’t if Doug Ford cuts our OSAP,” said Alalea Tokonitz, a grade 11 student from LCVI. Mar 12, 2026 • Last updated 2 days ago •
Azalea Tokonitz, a grade 10 student from LCVI, leads the walkout on Mar. 12, 2026. The students are protesting against the OSAP cutbacks. Photo by Maegen Kulchar /The Kingston Whig-Standard
Secondary students from LCVI and Kingston Secondary School took to the streets Thursday to protest Premier Doug Ford’s decision to reduce grant amounts from the Ontario Student Assistant Program (OSAP) starting this fall as well as lift the province’s tuition freeze.
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The move would set back many students who use grants for their education. Now that extra funding has been cut back, students in Kingston and beyond have been voicing their concerns.
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The group planned a walkout at noon on Thursday when they left their classrooms and headed out of school toward Princess Street and Bath Road. They chanted slogans while holding signs saying things like “we cannot a-Ford this”, “education is a right, not a transaction,” and “education should not be a debt sentence,” among others.
A leading voice in Kingston was Azalea Tokonitz, a Grade 10 student at Loyalist Collegiate Vocational Institute.
“Students want to be able to afford education and university and costs of living and we really can’t if Doug Ford cuts our OSAP. It’s barely affordable for us already just going into higher education as it is; it’s only getting tougher with these funding cuts,” said Tokonitz who aims to become a lawyer someday.
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Without this financial support, Tokonitz stated that it would affect their right to pursue post-secondary education.
“We’re hoping that with us and over 150 other schools in Ontario walking out for those students who simply want funds through OSAP or other means will prompt Doug Ford to rethink these harmful policies,” added Tokonitz.but your article goes on below.
Walking along Concession Street were students from Kingston Secondary School also showing opposition as they approached the intersection.
Grade 12 student Victor Stratton shared his concern since he plans to enroll in university next fall but worries these cuts will create more problems down the line for him. “With these OSAP cuts, that means triple the debt I’m going to have to pay off over probably 10 or even 20 years, and that’s going be one major part of my life – paying back loans,” said Stratton who’s considering pursuing six years studying music along with teaching.
A crowd of high schoolers gather at Princess Street and Bath Road corner during their protest on March 12th ,2026. Photo by Maegen Kulchar /The Kingston Whig-Standard
Under current rules, students can get up to about 85 percent of provincial funding for post-secondary schooling via grants that don’t need repayment. This ad hasn’t loaded yet,
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Now, the proposal suggests shifting those numbers so only about 25 percent comes as grants while 75 percent would come through loans needing repayment. “This added burden comes last-minute after so many had financial plans based around existing guidelines. It messes with people’s educational choices – like whether they’ll go into college or not,” mentioned Stratton adding some friends had applied or been accepted already. The province defends its decisions regarding OSAP stating that its current setup isn’t viable long-term. “In order protect Ontario as we move forward, it’s vital we maintain a strong workforce prepared for future needs.” Nolan Quinn stated Minister responsible for Colleges/Universities Research Excellence & Security assured press statements.”These changes involve $6.4 billion new investment aimed towards maintaining sustainable colleges/universities therefore ensuring graduates develop necessary skills required hence providing rewarding careers -all while keeping accessible learning options available.” Protestors remain determined urging Ford reconsider decisions made affecting future generations accessing further studies opportunities. Grade nine participant Abagail Dumouchel expressed her concerns saying,”We won’t get quality educations without sufficient funds backing them up; it’s definitely making things much harder.”Share this article in your social network
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but there’s more coming after this. Now, the proposal suggests shifting those numbers so only about 25 percent comes as grants while 75 percent would come through loans needing repayment. “This added burden comes last-minute after so many had financial plans based around existing guidelines. It messes with people’s educational choices – like whether they’ll go into college or not,” mentioned Stratton adding some friends had applied or been accepted already. The province defends its decisions regarding OSAP stating that its current setup isn’t viable long-term. “In order protect Ontario as we move forward, it’s vital we maintain a strong workforce prepared for future needs.” Nolan Quinn stated Minister responsible for Colleges/Universities Research Excellence & Security assured press statements.”These changes involve $6.4 billion new investment aimed towards maintaining sustainable colleges/universities therefore ensuring graduates develop necessary skills required hence providing rewarding careers -all while keeping accessible learning options available.” Protestors remain determined urging Ford reconsider decisions made affecting future generations accessing further studies opportunities. Grade nine participant Abagail Dumouchel expressed her concerns saying,”We won’t get quality educations without sufficient funds backing them up; it’s definitely making things much harder.”Share this article in your social network
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