Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of this House, and in particular that Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, on the plight of the Northwest Territories post-secondary students with disability. As the Minister is well aware, Mr. Speaker, I along with a number of others concerned have been working on behalf of a young man with disability in Yellowknife who was denied access to student financial assistance for post-secondary education.
This, Mr. Speaker, in spite of the fact that he was admitted to a reputable vocational college in Alberta that would go a long way to ensure that he would be free from relying on the government for livelihood, and most important have a chance at becoming the best he can be.
I am happy to advise you, Mr. Speaker, that with the help of his family and supporters, he was successful in having his denial reversed. The student financial assistance appeal board determined that, "Based on the evidence, the transitional vocational program is a post-secondary school education for the purpose of the regulation."
Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly that this is a just and honourable decision and one that is in accordance with the spirit and intent of the act and the regulation. Unfortunately, I am not sure if the Minister and the department are in full agreement with this decision, Mr. Speaker. I say this because I have received communication from the Minister's office and the department that appears to question the validity of this decision or, at the very least, attempts are being made to limit the scope of the appeal board's decision in its application.
Mr. Speaker, everyone involved in this specific case is concerned about the amount of time and effort that has to go into applying and appealing for the benefits under this program that should be available to them by the just application of the law. We are acutely aware in this House that this -- well, the group is aware -- that one success will be in vein if other students in similar circumstances have to fight each time to get to the same decision, Mr. Speaker.
We are well aware, Mr. Speaker, not every student with disability going through this process has the level of support and determination as the ones in this case. The important point is that this should not be necessary. The law is already in place by the act, the regulation and the appeal board's decision. It is the Minister's job to make sure that the decision applies to everyone under similar circumstances, no matter...