Mr. Speaker, scholarship recipients are some of the brightest stars of our future. Many could not afford post secondary education without scholarships, particularly those from northern communities who must attends schools in the south. Competition for scholarships is fierce and students work hard to get them.
On the one hand, by announcing increased spending for summer employment the government wants us to believe it is supporting students. At the same time, the government continues to tax student scholarships.
Students are facing massive tuition increases and higher educational costs. With high unemployment and a workforce unqualified to fill the thousands of available high tech jobs, a system that discourages students from furthering their education is ridiculous.
It is one thing for the Prime Minister to urge the private sector to create more jobs. If the government really wants to help students it should make scholarships tax free, or at a minimum increase the tax free amount of $500 established in 1972 to something more appropriate for 1996.