Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the comments of the hon. member across the way. I must say that I am certainly pleased to hear a member speak from the point of view of consultation. That is what the green paper tabled by the minister is really all about.
During the most recent break I had the opportunity to have several public forums in my riding. I must admit there were several suggestions on this particular point regarding education and, from the federal perspective, how it might or should be funded in the future.
The point that the hon. member made was one of those comments about a voucher type of system. Another was the fact that instead of taking this fund that currently I believe is $2.6 billion, put it in a special fund for students only, earmark it that way and transfer it to the provinces, but with the specific outline that it is for post-secondary education only to ensure that is where it goes.
Having heard the hon. member and his comments regarding the voucher system, would he agree that there probably are several options available which could and possibly should be looked at in addition to the one that was in the green paper as one alternative.
I do appreciate the fact that finally the member and his party realize that this is a consultation paper, that nothing has been carved in stone, that we want this input not only from members of Parliament but from Canadians from coast to coast so that we can come up with a consensus that will be good for Canada, our students, our youth not only today but indeed as we work toward the 21st century and try to be a benefit to all post-secondary students and those coming on in the next number of years.
I would ask the hon. member to comment on that.