Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to talk about some concerns that have been raised with me by my constituents about the new student financial assistance rules and how they are affected by them.
On Friday, I tabled a letter from a constituent of mine. I will not read it into the record, but I would like to paraphrase from that letter so that you can see what I am talking about.
"Mr. Bell, I am one of your constituents, and I would like to bring to your attention how the student financial assistance rules affect me.
This spring I completed the third year of a five year degree at a southern Alberta university and I intend to finish my degree and begin teaching in the Northwest Territories once I have completed my education.
I was schooled in the Northwest Territories from grades 2 through 12 inclusive, a total of 11 years. Under the old system, I was entitled to two semesters of grants for every three years I was schooled in the Territories. I obtained six semesters of grants, which was my limit. Under the new system, I would be entitled to 11 semesters of grants, one semester for every year of schooling in the Northwest Territories.
To my dismay, I found out that only students who are entering post-secondary studies for the first time qualify under the new system. I believe this to be a gross injustice to myself. Had I wasted away my last few years and just entered University this fall, I would be entitled to 11 semesters of grants, five more than I was entitled to under the old system.
Instead, I was a responsible person for the past few years, but I am unable to qualify for the grants under the new system. I understand that one has to draw the line somewhere, but surely to not include continuing students in the new system of grant entitlement does not appear just.
I hope you will review my case with the Minister responsible for Education and or bring up this injustice with the House, as obviously other continuing students are affected as I am."
Yes, indeed, Mr. Speaker, other students are affected in this manner. When we look up in the House today and see all of these bright young faces, we know that our government is looking after them and will take care of them as they go to post-secondary education, but what about their older brothers and sisters? Have we thought about them?
Mr. Speaker, as I go through the Northwest Territories' new Student Financial Assistance Manual, I realize that if I had just completed my fourth year of education, there is nothing left for me as far as grants. I cannot continue on. If I have only completed two years, I have three left. This simply is not fair, Mr. Speaker.
To this government, my constituents say "Let us not punish current students for their success". Thank you.
-- Applause