Mr. Speaker, four years ago when the concern over student debt was rising the University of Manitoba students union decided to act.
Four presidents—David Gratzer, Trevor Lynes, Catherine Kowalchuk and Chris Kozier—worked tirelessly with the Canadian Alliance of Students Association to present proposals to the federal government. They have worked in the province of Manitoba with the provincial government to find solutions to the problem of student debt, and they decided to act on their own.
Over the past four years they have raised money to create a fund that today stands at close to $1 million, which provides direct support to students on their campus. This year 1,400 students received scholarships and bursaries directly from the students union showing what people can do when they decide to act.