Absolutely. They voted against it. I know my hon. colleague behind me cannot believe that.
We lowered taxes for students when we made post-secondary scholarships and bursary income a student receives tax-free. The Liberal opposition once again voted against that.
We announced $45 million to establish new post-doctoral fellowships valued at $70,000 per year.
We also provided additional funding to support world-class research and researchers, including new resources for the research granting councils. Unfortunately, the Liberal opposition voted against all that.
Since forming government in 2006, we have made landmark investments in Canada's educational system.
We made Canada number one in terms of research and development spending in higher education when compared to all other G7 countries. The Liberal opposition yet again voted against that.
Clearly, our Conservative government is providing positive support for higher education.
If the Liberal opposition does not take my word for it, they should talk to the presidents of the 13 leading Canadian universities, including the University of Ottawa's president Allan Rock, a name familiar to many of us, who wrote an open letter in newspapers right across Canada that praised budget 2010. Here is a small sampling:
In past debt-elimination drives, federal transfers to provinces were rapidly reduced. Provinces then passed the cuts on to universities and colleges, hospitals and municipalities. Budget 2010 reduces the chances that this adverse history will be repeated.
This budget has also given universities a clear signal to get on with the job of laying the foundations for a sustainable economic recovery. We welcome that signal and the support that goes with it in a period of tough choices.
These...are very positive initiatives.
For that vote of confidence in higher education and advanced research, we are indeed grateful to the government and to Canada's taxpayers.