Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be in favour of this bill today. I would like to talk a little bit about the proposed changes. In 1992 was the last time we raised student financial assistance amounts; 1992 is a long time ago. I think it is high time this government did something to put more money into the pockets of students. This is certainly a step in the right direction. I applaud the government for taking that step.

With tuition skyrocketing, students can no longer cope. I think we can all see that this is a scary reality. However, as we have said many times, there really is no new money. It is very important that we look at exactly where the money for this program is coming from. I think much analysis is needed, and we will look at that in committee, to see if we truly are doing the most equitable and beneficial thing for the Northwest Territories.

I think we have to look at the treatment for the various different groups of students. We say that for some students, we are solving their tax problems by taking away grants and giving them remissible loans. I would argue we are just giving them a whole new set of problems, Mr. Speaker. As to the principle of this bill, I am certainly going to vote in favour of anything that puts more money into the pockets of students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. To the principle of the bill. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting this bill. It is impossible not to support in principle a bill that will get more money into the pockets of students. One of the challenges we face is that this bill does not outline how the program itself is going to run. I know we will have a look at that as we review this in committee.

I wish to make clear what I support in principle; getting more money into the pockets of students. I will not support revisions to a program that increases class divisions among Northerners. I think it is absolutely essential we find a way to get more money to students. I think that means more money in the program. I do not think that can be achieved by just moving money around within the program.

Mr. Speaker, while I support this today, I simply wish to be on record to reserving my right to change my mind in the approach, depending on how the program itself is laid out to a committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. To the principle of the bill. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too support the principle of the bill. I have fought long and hard, especially for the Inuvialuit and Metis people I represent. They have been discriminated against for years, regardless of the fact they are aboriginal people recognized under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. They are penalized by Revenue Canada through the taxation of student loans, while other people do not have the tax problems that the Inuvialuit and the Metis have.

The intent of this bill is to try to remedy that, and put everybody on the same playing field. I support that. I also want to make sure that whatever we do, we do not create another level of bureaucracy, where we find the people we represent, be they Inuvialuit, Metis, or non-aboriginal people, are not burdened by more red tape and bureaucracy. We have to streamline it in such a way that it is accessible, fair and improves the lives of our students when they go off to obtain a post-secondary education.

Mr. Speaker, in closing I think it is important this government consider the possibility of looking at some mechanism to allow this program to take into account that there have been implications on Inuvialuit and Metis students. Financial implications with which they are having some major tax problems due to Revenue Canada. If we can find a way to assist those students, I will support that fully.

With that, I support the principle of the bill. It will ensure this program does not cause another burden for our students. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. To the principle of the bill. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak briefly to the principle of this bill. Like my colleagues, I will support the principle of the bill, very clearly reserving my right to influence the department and the Minister in terms of the regulations and how this is going to be translated into action.

Though I know this is a tough political issue, and time is short in negotiating self-government, in the next two to three years, it is possible this program may have been taken over by aboriginal governments. I see what is being proposed as an interim measure. But there are things that can be done by the Minister and his department almost immediately, such as regulations, the structure of the administration, to give students more flexibility. There are very simple administrative things that can relieve the pressure and the frustration the students feel when they go through administrative red tape.

I will support this, but like my colleagues, will be scrutinizing it very carefully when it comes through the committee. We will be working with the Minister for commitments to do what can be done as we look at this interim step. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. To the principle of the bill. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lakes, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I will keep this brief as we have had a lot of questions in this area. But I am having a hard time accepting the principle of this bill. It has not been made clear enough if the new funding for this program is going to come on the backs of those that are unsuccessful in their attempts at achieving a post-secondary education.

There is still a difference between the aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I hope my social programs colleagues are hearing this and will take this as they review the bill in committee. I am having serious problems with this and the way it looks like it is being designed and put forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favor? All those opposed? Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee. Item 18, second reading of bills. The Honourable Mr. Steen.