Hundreds of students marched from the University of Winnipeg to the steps of the Manitoba Legislature Wednesday demanding free post-secondary education for all Canadians.

Signs saying "Free education now" and "Education for all" were held high during the National Day of Student Action march.

Third-year U of W student Lisa Hocking, 20, believes post-secondary education is a right, not a privilege that should only be accessible to people who can afford it.

We want to see the opposite of austerity; we want to see significant investment in post-secondary [education]. — Niall Harney, Canadian Federation of Students

"You should be able to go to school and not be able to pay for it. I think everybody deserves an education," she said. "I'm fortunate that I can have a parent to support me, but not everyone has that."

Shafagh Daneshfar said that as a fourth-year political science and international development student at the U of W, she is staring down student debt that is adding pressure to her studies.

Hundreds of students marched downtown Wednesday demanding free post-secondary education for all Canadians. 1:28

"That to me does not allow me to do anything else with my life other than pay back my education, and I think that is just not right, considering in this day and age if you want to excel in life, you need an education," said Daneshfar, who wants free post-secondary education in Canada.

"Many other countries do have it, and Canada should be at the forefront of that and embrace the fact that education is important and should be accessible."

'Contribute more fully' to society

Niall Harney, treasure for the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), said CFS has three main education goals.

Student organizers want to see greater expansion and maintenance of the affordability act, which helps keep tuition low in the province. They also want to see stand-alone sexual assault policies on every Manitoba campus, as well as an increase in public funding, Harney said.

Impressive showing from students on their national day of action!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/allout?src=hash">#allout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nov2?src=hash">#nov2</a> <a href="https://t.co/6WaiepdIHY">pic.twitter.com/6WaiepdIHY</a> —@WabKinew

In the long-term, the goal is to make post-secondary education free across Canada, he said.

"[Students] want to gain the skills to be better workers and be better contributors to society, and so that's why we need to make it accessible for everyone — so everyone can afford to give up that time where they're not working and can ultimately contribute more fully to our society," Harney said.

U of M faculty hits picket line

The march comes amidst tensions between the University of Manitoba and its faculty association.

Mark Hudson, president of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), said the main issues are tenure, workload protection and fair performance evaluations for union members. Job security issues for librarians and instructors are also on the table.

Talks stalled late last week, when the U of M and UMFA released a joint statement accusing the Pallister government of interfering with and jeopardizing the delicate months-long negotiations.

Shafagh Daneshfar is a fourth-year political science and international development studies student at the University of Winnipeg. (CBC)

The UMFA and university administration took issue with the province's request to keep existing contracts at a zero per cent wage increase for the next year.

Daneshfar said she found allegations of the province's zero per cent wage freeze request "terrifying."

"It's very scary to hear our premier kind of play around with that idea," Daneshfar said.

'They need to step out'

Members of the UMFA hit the picket lines Tuesday morning after nothing was resolved in the final round of negotiations over the weekend.

Laurie Morris, president of the Association of Employees Supporting Education Services, said the province has no place in negotiations between the university and its faculty.

Students line the steps of the legislative building Wednesday calling for free education for all. (Gary Solilak/CBC)

"Intervention is never welcome in any negotiations," she said. "I think they need to step out. This is something [where] I believe many unions will be more than happy to pick up the signs and fight alongside those who are already picketing."

'Not justified or true'

Premier Brian Pallister has not confirmed or denied the province made the request, and said allegations his administration interfered with bargaining are "not justified or true."

Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen would not say Wednesday whether the province instructed the university to offer a one-year deal with no increase, as U of M and UMFA reported.

"What we have conveyed to the administration at the university is the fiscal challenge that we all face and inside of that we put our faith in the process that is underway," he said. "It is not our role as the government of Manitoba to directly interfere in the negotiations that are currently taking place," he said. "It is the role of government to provide parameters, broad mandates, for those discussions."

Friesen said the government is hopeful the two sides will work out their differences in short order.

"There is a conciliator appointed. Conciliation talks begin today. We will continue to watch. We are looking for a resolution. We are looking for an early date when students can return to class."

Niall Harney is the treasury for the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Federation for Students. (CBC)

Harney said while the province's alleged interference in negotiations is a problem, the greater issue is whether the Tory government will push forward with belt-tightening cuts to core Manitoba public services.

"It's a bit confusing why Pallister is inserting himself in that debate, but the larger question of whether we're going to see increasing austerity in this province is really the concerning part," Harney said.

"Austerity is not the way to grow an economy and build better jobs for Manitoba. We want to see the opposite of austerity; we want to see significant investment in post-secondary [education]."

A provincially-appointed conciliator was scheduled to meet with both sides Wednesday to try and work out a deal.