Finance committee  At the most, yes, for full-time students who qualify.

Finance committee  It's a bit more substantial, mainly for graduate students who are already in receipt of grants, but it doesn't do anything to increase the number of graduate students who are being supported federally through the granting council. Again, it's not going to hurt anybody, but as we testified to the minister earlier this year, it's not a top priority.

Finance committee  In nobody's view that I know of.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question, because it's a good one. If the finance minister wants to allocate funds for infrastructure, then that's great. There is a problem on our campuses in terms of the physical infrastructure, but the finance minister shouldn't say he's fulfilling the obligations under Bill C-48, because you read it out and it's crystal clear that it's about enhancing access.

Finance committee  There is a substantial gap between the participation rates of students from low-income households and middle- and high-income households. That gap is a substantial one, and it's not going to be closed by building a new classroom here and there. It's going to be closed by making a substantial and ongoing year-after-year annual investment in transfers to the provinces and by building the best possible student financial aid program, founded on grants.

Finance committee  Good afternoon. The Canadian Federation of Students unites over 80 student unions in all provinces, and in all we bring together more than one-half million students at public institutions, big and small institutions, urban and rural. Thank you, of course, for the opportunity to be here today to present some feedback on the 2006 federal budget.