Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today to speak about fairness, in particular the Student Financial Assistance Program, because I believe that the new Student Financial Assistance Program is not fair in its treatment of some people. The program has increased benefits for most students. However, some who were in the system got lost in the shuffle, I believe. When the program changes were announced by the Minister last spring, it was pointed out to the government that the new rules were not fair to Metis students, and, to this government's credit, they found $500,000 to make the program fair to Metis students.
However, when it is now pointed out that the changes are not fair to some who were promised remissible loans, a promise made in good faith by government employees, the Minister does not choose to act to fix the situation. Mr. Speaker, a fix here would cost far less than the $500,000 it cost to fix the program for Metis students. Mr. Speaker, when asked, in fact, how this can be justified, all the Minister had to say, and I quote from page 1706 of unedited Hansard was, "We have not cut anyone off, Mr. Speaker. There is still availability for all students to access repayable loans."
Mr. Speaker, that is shameful, that is the switch that we are talking about that is not fair. Some people were promised that they would have remissible loans, only to have them taken away part way through their programs. Mr. Speaker, just as what they did for Metis people, this government should bring fairness to those who lost benefits with the introduction to the new system. It would cost very little to stand behind the promises made in good faith by employees of this government. I encourage the Minister to take a serious look at this issue and bring some fairness into play. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.