Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I received a concern from a constituent regarding Student Financial Assistance; in particular, claiming a student travel benefit to return home for winter break.
The 2011 SFA Handbook states SFA will provide assistance for the basic airfare if travelling by plane or the current government rate for mileage if travelling by land or water. It goes on to say, “Important: You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Contact a travel agency near you listed in your local telephone directory. If you travel by land or water you are required to submit Form ‘A’ Travel Claim, for reimbursement after you have travelled.”
There is no reference to air travel here, but if you look at Form ‘A’ Travel Claim, you will find that this is the correct form to submit. The Form ‘A’ Travel Claim does not have air travel as an option and it states “attach original ticket and receipt.”
My constituent followed the instructions in the Student Handbook. He booked and paid for his air travel and then submitted a Form ‘A’ Travel Claim to SFA. He submitted his ticket and the receipt indicating the ticket was paid for by Visa. He signed the declaration on Form ‘A,’ which certifies that he incurred the expenses for this purpose and is seeking reimbursement.
In response to his travel claim, my constituent was requested to supply a photocopy of the Visa card that paid for the ticket, revealing the name on the card and the last four digits of the account number, or a copy of the Visa statement showing the same information. Instructions to forward this information are not in the Student Handbook or requested on the Form ‘A’ Travel Claim.
When my constituency assistant made inquiries to the Minister’s office related to this concern, it was brought to my attention that the policy and procedures manual advises that airline tickets should be booked through an approved northern travel agency and preapproved by SFA. That’s great if you live in Yellowknife. I don’t know of any other travel agencies anywhere else in the North, so I guess we assume that everybody going to college is from Yellowknife.
I was also provided with an excerpt from the SFA Spring 2011 Newsletter to students. Under the section titled “Student Travel Reminders” along with other information referring to air travel, it reads: “If the ticket was purchased with a credit card, you must submit a copy of the credit card or credit card statement showing the last four digits of the credit card and the name of the cardholder.” This was in a newsletter under a reminder section. This was not a new release or notice of change in policy.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted
Are you confused? I am confused. The instructions in the policy and procedures manual contradict the information and instructions in the Student Handbook, and the newsletter reminder is different information yet again. As for requesting a copy of the credit card or credit card statement, what if the student had paid cash or borrowed the money from a friend, relative or bank, purchased the ticket knowing they’d be reimbursed and can pay the funds back to the lender later?
Mr. Speaker, I have more to say on this, but let’s just put it this way: there is a contradiction here between the policy. It shouldn’t matter if Santa Claus bought your ticket home for travel. You should be able to get reimbursed for it. Thank you. This is ridiculous.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
