Members of the Revolutionary Student Movement (RSM) and their supporters staged a sit-in at the University of Manitoba President’s office on Thursday.

The group is protesting an upcoming 6.6 per cent tuition increase at the U of M and the province’s recent decision to cut universal healthcare for international students.

“We fight for the working class and we see these as issues that are harmful to working class students and youth,” RSM regional coordinator Ian Desales said over the phone. “Many of them are already essentially barred from University because they can’t afford tuition.”

“And we see the cuts to international student healthcare as something that is harmful to working class international students,” Desales continued. “Some don’t have the resources to pay for extra health care on top of their already exorbitant tuition.”

The group was inspired by students at York University, who are in the midst of a two-week sit-in in support of striking teachers.

In March 2017, the Progressive Conservative government introduced Bill 31, which eliminated a cap on tuition increases at the rate of inflation. This opened the door for post-secondary institutions to raise tuition by five per cent, plus the rate of inflation.

Education Minister Ian Wishart said in 2017 release that despite the increase, Manitoba will still have the lowest tuition in Western Canada.

In its 2018 budget, the province announced it would be scrapping universal healthcare for international students, which would save the province around $3.1-million per year.

Desales says the group spoke briefly to U of M president Dr. David Barnard after entering his office peacefully in the morning and it’s clear from the conversation the two sides are at an impasse.

“We are making concrete demands and are not budging on them,” Desales said. “They are not willing to concede to our demands and we are not willing to make concessions.”

The Administration Building was locked to everyone except for staff following the beginning of the sit-in. But U of M spokesman John Danakas said it was only a precaution to ensure the safety of staff inside the building and the right of the RSM to protest. He says the sit-in was peaceful.

Desales says this sit-in will only last until the end of the day, but they aren’t done fighting these issues, as this action is part of a pan-Canadian RSM campaign called “Reclaim Our Campuses.”

“We only plan on escalating actions from this point forward,” he said.

Golden West news reached out to the U of M for comment from President Dr. David Barnard, but the request was declined.