Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Clause 153 deals with family physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners in underserved rural and remote communities.
Currently, the proposal in the bill is that the minister may forgive an amount in respect of a student loan to a borrower who begins to work in an underserved rural or remote community as a family physician, nurse, or nurse practitioner--if the borrower meets the prescribed conditions, of course.
What we have is a situation wherein the minister ensures that the borrower meets the prescribed conditions, but then the minister has the choice as to whether or not to forgive that amount. This is an important issue. We believe that moving the proposed amendment, changing line 26 on page 196 from “may” to “shall”, would put an obligation on the minister--if, of course, the borrower meets the prescribed conditions, which are always the entry point. The minister would have the obligation to forgive the amount.
We think this adds an extra element around the importance of the currently underserved rural and remote communities.
I'd like to move this amendment. I believe it's in order.