Dear Editor:

Indebtedness has become one of the characteristics of what it means to be Canadian. Our banking system thrives on our voracious appetite for stuff. According to the Canadian Bankers Association, the six largest banks' net income in 2009 was $14.3 billion. The media reported bonuses at these six banks

Education carries debt reached a record $8.3 billion for the same year, an increase of 18 per cent from 2008. A significant portion of their profits are borne on the backs of students.

On Wednesday, students, teaching assistants, university support staff and faculty will be unveiling the SFU "Wall of Debt" to bring attention to spiralling tuition fees and debt amassed by students in their pursuit of a post secondary education.

Unlike a lot of stuff we spend money on, higher education is a worthwhile goal for all British Columbians.

It should be accessible to those who value it regardless of income, and should not leave less-wealthy students with an onerous financial burden.

The banks could show a little more social responsibility than they do by working with provincial and federal governments to develop a more affordable student loan program and to tell governments that upcoming budgets need to adequately fund public education to reduce tuition fees and protect students from indebtedness upon entering adulthood.

Rick McGowan, Burnaby