A very brief response, please.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A video is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A video is available from Parliament.
6:20 p.m.
Vice-President, Research and Policy, Canadian Medical Association
Make health care infrastructure eligible for part of the Build Canada program is essentially our main view on that.
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
6:20 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Thank you, Chair.
Thanks again to our witnesses for coming here today.
My first questions will be for Morley.
In your submission to the finance committee, you asked for additional funding for education and job skills training.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to go to a graduation ceremony for the B.C. Aboriginal Mine Training Association. It was a very positive event. It was the first round of graduates from this program. They are looking at increasing their income prospects from $13,000 before the program to over $50,000 after the program.
This is one example of something that has been very successful in British Columbia. Are you aware of this program?
6:25 p.m.
Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Yes, I have heard about it briefly.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
You've asked for more funding. Is that type of opportunity, something you would look for as well in your community?
6:25 p.m.
Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Yes.
I think it's important to make sure the systems and the funding also go toward elementary schools, but that is something that would absolutely be beneficial as well.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Can you share with us other targeted areas where the federal government could help in training and education?
6:25 p.m.
Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Are you referencing reserve schools and tuition?
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
It doesn't necessarily have to be on reserve. For example, the B.C. Aboriginal Mine Training Association has taken first nations youth from different first nations. I don't know if that particular program is on reserve or not. It's probably not on reserve. This would be post-secondary.
6:25 p.m.
Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations
I'll give you an example from a community where my head office is. It's Waycobah First Nation. They've gone into partnership with Nova Scotia Community College and they're delivering educational services in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical. They're bringing trades on the reserve. They're teaching adult skills and trades to people who found it difficult for their families to leave. They're coming into communities.
In fact, they've turned over their old school. They just built a brand new school, and they are renovating it. Actual trainees have done the renovations in the old school. Those are successes. Those guys later on will be getting the limited jobs that are available and will be finding employment opportunities off reserve.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
When you ask for increased funding from the federal government, is that the type of program you want to employ these funds to create?
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
6:25 p.m.
Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations
Not that I know of offhand. We can follow up and I can get some more information on that.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Okay, I'd appreciate that. Thank you.
My next question is for Amanda.
You had three specific asks, and I appreciate that you focused on three. If we were to assist in that regard, how would that affect student involvement in the employment industry? How many more students do you think would be working and studying at the same time?
6:25 p.m.
Board Chair, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
It's an interesting question.
Ultimately, our ask is about something we'd like government to do, and not something that we'd like students to do.
We know that on average students are working 18 hours a week. As costs continue to rise, that will likely continue. Things like co-op programs are really great for students, because it gives them real-world training. Our goal is to make sure that in Canada no one is punished for getting a job and having stable employment.
Right now, the Canada student loans program punishes people for working. We don't think that makes any sense. We'd like to have it changed.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Last year you also had as one of your asks that an automobile should be ignored when it comes to student loans. I notice that's no longer on your list. Was it that you didn't have enough room for an extra ask, or—
6:25 p.m.
Board Chair, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
We just didn't have enough room. That remains a really important issue. I grew up in Alberta, about an hour away from the U of A where I did my undergrad degree. There's no public transit in the area. It claws back your student loan. It doesn't make sense. It's still one of our asks. If that were to happen and a vehicle were to be exempted, we would be pleased.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
Andrew Saxton Conservative North Vancouver, BC
Thank you very much for coming today. Thank you, Chair.
6:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
Thank you very much, Mr. Saxton.
On behalf of the committee, I want to thank all of you for coming in today, for presenting and responding to our questions. Thank you so much for participating in the pre-budget consultations.
The meeting is adjourned.