Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question at this time would be directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment and it is in the area of student financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, it has been an area that has drawn much attention over a number of years from a lot of communities, as well as mine. It has been brought to my attention that there are further concerns in the area of timing of payments or notifying students if they in fact did qualify or not. At times, students end up in a jurisdiction out of territory, enrolling in school, finding out at that point that they did not qualify. In some cases, they are told at that point when they are down there that they will not be getting their first payment or cheque for another 10 days or two weeks.

I would like to know from the Minister of Education if there is a guideline or a standard put in place as to when payments are first issued. Thank you.