Debates of March 7, 2005 (day 50)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Last week I spoke about taxation on aboriginal education that’s due to take place April 1st. I was just wondering if the Minister knows how much of an impact it will have upon our students and is it actually SFA funding that’s impacted as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 562-15(3): Taxation Of Grants To Aboriginal Students

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally I have some good news to report. Although I can’t confirm it, because it’s only in the Canadian Press and we haven’t gotten official word from the government, but we understand that the federal government will scrap the proposal to tax grants for aboriginal college and university students. So it sounds promising. I think the federal government has recognized that aboriginal students are the most underrepresented in terms of success in university and college in Canada and they need the support of the federal government by not taxing. I think it sounds like it’s good news, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 562-15(3): Taxation Of Grants To Aboriginal Students

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am, indeed, very pleased to hear that news. It will impact a lot of our students going to school, particularly down south who don’t need that extra burden of being taxed, Mr. Speaker. At this point, the Minister doesn’t have too many details to offer. Has he been in contact with his federal counterparts in the federal office with regard to this issue?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 562-15(3): Taxation Of Grants To Aboriginal Students

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Canadian Press article I saw quoted Minister Andy Scott for the source for this. What we have not been able to do is confirm it through CCRA, or Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. That was the agency that was proposing the tax initiative. So we are in the process of trying to confirm that this is accurate but, based on what I have seen so far in the press, I am pretty confident that the Canadian government is following the right path here.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I actually don’t have any further questions at this point. Thank you.