Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to state that the Government of Canada is committed to providing all Canadians with the opportunity to access affordable post-secondary education so that they may prosper in a knowledge based economy.
The Canada student loans program recognizes the particular needs of students with permanent disabilities. A special opportunities grant of up to $3,000 a year is designed to offset certain exceptional education related costs incurred as a result of disability.
Students who are unable to pay their loans because of disability may also apply for a permanent disability benefit in the form of loan forgiveness.
Effective August 1 this year, Canada student grants will also offer up to $3,000 per year to students who have permanent disabilities and dependence to assist them in their full time or part time studies.
The Canadian opportunities strategy will also help Canadians, including Canadians with disabilities, to succeed in the changing economy. It provides for improved access to knowledge and skills for all Canadians through the new $2.5 billion millennium scholarship fund, a fund which persons with disabilities will also be able to tap into.
The budget will also help Canadians coping with student debtload with tax relief on interest payments and debt assistance to those facing financial difficulty.
I also want to point out that the 1998 budget announced additional tax measures to recognize the cost associated with disabilities. Following the 1998 budget, tax assistance measures for disability and medical expense now represent $635 million per year in tax credits.
Our budget also proposes a new special tax credit for caregivers. In last year's budget $30 million for the opportunities fund to help between 4,000 and 6,000 Canadians with disabilities find and keep jobs was announced. Indeed the Government of Canada is committed to people with disabilities