Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, there are lots of complaints about the timeliness of payments. I have some suggestions for the contractor who is doing the review. These, I don't believe, were highlighted in the terms of reference. One of the key groups that must be consulted with, as I mentioned yesterday, are parents. Other than the students, themselves, I think the parents are the people most impacted by changes to benefits and financial assistance for students. They have to be included as part of the study.
The other groups are the aboriginal groups. I know that many aboriginal groups are now providing, through whatever resources they have, bursaries and scholarships to supplement student income. They have to be consulted. The other groups are the counsellors and administrators of the colleges, universities and high schools who provide advice to students when they are filling out applications or when they get to the university or college.
Another group who are highly impacted by the current financial assistance programs are single parents. They seem to have the most difficulty with adjusting to post-secondary education, especially if they have to move a great distance. Careful consideration has to be given to this group of students.
Also, under phase I of the terms of reference, attention must be paid, as I mentioned, to the timeliness of payments made to students. Currently, most students need large amounts of cash when they first get to university or college, either to pay their room and board or to pay their tuition fees and books. I believe their first cheques are one or two weeks after they register and they submit receipts. It may be a month. This is a concern, especially for first-time students who are not aware of the needs for cash when they first go south or wherever they are.
I hope the Minister will consider these comments and incorporate them into the review.