Madam Speaker, at the outset it is important to recognize some of the key indicators relating to post-secondary education as outlined in the 1997 education at a glance report prepared by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Canada's expenditure on post-secondary education as a percentage of gross domestic product was 2.6% in 1994, the highest among the OECD member states. Canada ranks second among the OECD countries in terms of post-secondary enrolment as a proportion of the 18 to 21 age group. Canada ranks third among the OECD countries in terms of graduates at the bachelor or equivalent level.
As has been said before, all government have a continued responsibility to ensure that students have access to post-secondary education. Clearly the Government of Canada has a long history of helping students access post-secondary education and other learning opportunities.
Since its inception in 1964, the Canada student loans program has helped more than three million students access post-secondary education.
The Government of Canada has been offering grants to students across Canada for many years, including those awarded by three research granting councils, the Medical Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. By funding these councils the Government of Canada supports advanced research for graduate students.
The Canada opportunities strategy announced in the recent budget further confirms the government's commitment to helping Canadians access learning opportunities and participate in the knowledge economy.
The Canada millennium scholarships fund will award over 100,000 scholarships to post-secondary students each year. Canada study grants will provide up to $3,000 a year and will help 25,000 to 50,000 needy students with children or other dependants. Canadian education savings grants will help families save for their children's education through registered education savings plans.
Also announced—