Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government talks about how important it is for people to be educated. It is really important for the people in my area as they get ready for Nunavut. If we want people to be ready for jobs, they need more than Grade 12. They need to go to college or university. This is very hard to do, especially for the people from smaller communities. They have to leave their homes and families; they have to travel long distances; they have to get used to a new community.
Mr. Speaker, one thing we do to help people to improve is through financial assistance. The government gives students support with grants and loans. We offer a good level of financial help compared to other places in Canada. However, even with this support, it is very difficult for students. They do not have enough money. We encourage people to go to college so they can get a good, decent job. Often, they do not have a job before they go to school. This means that they do not have extra money saved up. With the high cost of living in places like Iqaluit, the student financial assistance does not go very far. Many students and their families have very little money while they are trying to go to school.
Mr. Speaker, we need to encourage people to improve their education. It is too hard for them or their children. They want help in order to go to school. People have enough trouble now with the funding available. We cannot afford to reduce the assistance for the people to attend college and universities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.