Carol Anstey
Long Range Mountains, Newfoundland and Labrador · Conservative · Canada
“Mr. Speaker, the Liberal Prime Minister has said affordability is the best that it has been in decades, even though some Canadians are crowdfunding their way through this cost of living crisis. He is so out of touch. The costly Liberal Prime Minister is the only G20 leader to drag his nation into a recession.”
“Mr. Speaker, targets may not matter to that Liberal minister, but disabled Canadians rely on those supports and they certainly deserve better. Large areas of Gros Morne National Park are covered in dry timber and at risk of wildfire because of the spruce budworm outbreak.”
“They have exhausted their savings, maxed out their credit cards and refinanced their homes just to keep up with food inflation, rising rents and soaring mortgage payments. Clearly, the plan is not working.”
“At a critical time when we need more supply and builders are asking for less government, the Liberals are focusing on building a new bureaucracy that is simply an expensive exercise in rebranding.”
“Do not take it from me. A witness from the Ontario Home Builders' Association testified, “As the industry association representing home builders...we know that builders are the experts and the ones who are best suited to construct the homes we need, not the government” and “the path forward is not for government to step into the role of t…”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, who has strong ties to Newfoundland and Labrador, for that question. When we build out government bureaucracy, we build out the size of government and we increase government spending, which drives up inflation, which drives up the cost of everything, including the cost of homebuilding.”
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“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague and friend's excellent explanation of exactly the same thing that I hear time and again whenever I am in my riding. I go to the grocery store and I see how people are struggling. I have constituents consistently reaching out and talking to me about impossible decisions that they have to make between eating and heating their homes, and seniors who cannot afford their medication. In light of the fact that we hear, day in and day out, this constant “good news” and “great announcements”, at the end of the day, on the ground in the communities, people are struggling. This is what we are trying to address, as responsible members of Parliament, especially as it relates to rural and coastal communities across this country.”
“Mr. Speaker, in addition to what the hon. member mentioned in his comments, the Liberals also cut out private training colleges from Canada student grant applications. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there is a full ecosystem of universities and colleges that meet the demands of the private sector for the workforce. I completely understand this frustration and concern. There is always a top-down approach that does not translate well, especially in rural Canada, and these are the ultimate implications for communities as a result.”
“Mr. Speaker, the member across the way consistently stands up in this House and is always the person to ask questions of members opposite. However, if we do not have an economy that has opportunities for our young people, we can train them all we want but at the end of the day there is no job for them to go to. In Newfoundland and Labrador, we have enormous resource potential, but we have an out-migration problem because we have not developed our natural resources sector to be able to retain our people in our communities. We need to talk about how we can unleash our untapped potential in order to provide some opportunities for our young people.”
“They are asking for a government that understands the pressures they face and their realities. The people of Long Range Mountains are resilient. We have survived the hardest winters and the toughest seas, but we should not have to survive the Liberal government's costly credit card economic policies. Bill C-30 fails to provide relief or a sustainable path forward. Therefore, I cannot support this legislation.”
“Despite this unprecedented spending, our economic fundamentals are weakening. We face some of the worst indicators in the G7: high debt, unaffordable housing and weak productivity. Newfoundland and Labrador has the resource potential to be a global energy superpower, but we have been held back by a Liberal wall of regulatory bottlenecks and a punishing industrial carbon price. Conservatives believe Canada can do better. We believe in fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and unlocking our natural resources so that Canadians benefit from our country's wealth. We have enormous resource potential, but we need the government to get out of the way so Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can do what we have always done: work hard and provide for our families. Canadians are not asking for more Liberal empty announcements.”
“Mr. Speaker, to conclude my earlier speech on Bill C-30 , the Liberals brag about $37 billion in spending, but they should walk into any grocery store in Long Range Mountains and ask families how they are managing. They do not want to hear about billions for international conferences. They want to know how they can afford to drive their kids to hockey or keep food on the table. Seniors on fixed incomes are falling behind. Entrepreneurs are wondering how to make payroll instead of how to grow. At a time when we should be bringing costs down, this bill proposes a sovereign wealth fund with no wealth behind it, only borrowed money. The cost of servicing the Liberal debt will reach $59 billion this year. That is more than the federal government transfers for health care, and it costs every Canadian family $3,400 just to cover the interest.”
“Mr. Speaker, that simply does not answer the question. Families in Newfoundland and Labrador deserve better than her talking points. They know that the math does not add up. Oil prices are the same as they were a decade ago, but the price at the pump is skyrocketing because of a weak dollar and higher Liberal taxes. Our economy is struggling. Our dollar is devalued. Therefore, energy and food cost more. This is a made-in-Canada cost of living crisis fuelled by the Prime Minister . Enough with the excuses and the illusions. When will they adopt our plan, remove all of the taxes on all of the gas for all of the year, unblock our oil and gas production—”
“Mr. Speaker, despite the illusions with the Liberal Prime Minister , it is more cost, more carbon taxes and more of the same. He is just another Liberal who is completely out of touch. The Liberals tell us that gas prices are up to $1.83 only because world oil prices are at $100 a barrel. In 2014, under the Conservative government, oil was also $100 a barrel, yet gas was only $1.38. The Liberal government is the problem. Taxes pile up, the loonie drops and Canadians get gouged at the pump. When will the Liberal Prime Minister stop the illusion, adopt our plan and scrap all gas taxes for all of the year so Canadians can afford to live again?”
“Mr. Speaker, that was an incredible speech. I just want to draw attention to, once again, the heckling and comments about majority rules, while my colleague was trying to communicate during his speech. I just want to give the member an opportunity to speak to what further message that sends to victims and other people who may be looking to see what the government's response is on this important piece of legislation.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to give my hon. colleague an opportunity to put a fine point on this powerful message that she has communicated with respect to communicating “I believe you” to victims, and how choice is so important to empower them in these situations, as it relates to this legislation. I want to give her that opportunity because it is such a powerful point.”
“These are not short-term fluctuations. They reflect deeper structural issues that this bill fails to address. We hear a lot about team Canada, but there is a massive gap between Liberal rhetoric and the reality being felt by hard-working Canadians. We have young people in the trades who want to build their lives at home. We have resource potential that could make us a global energy superpower, but we are held back by a Liberal wall of regulatory bottlenecks. Whether it is the punishing industrial carbon price or red tape preventing us from developing our own resources, the Liberal government is standing in the way of Newfoundland and Labrador's economic prosperity. Conservatives—”
“This year alone, debt interest payments will reach $59 billion, which is more than the federal government transfers to provinces for health care and more than it collects in GST revenue. This translates to roughly $3,400 per Canadian family just to cover the cost of Liberal borrowing. This is money that could otherwise be invested in Canadians' priorities, but instead it is consumed by the growing weight of Liberal debt. Even more concerning is that the government's own projections show slow economic growth and rising inflation. In other words, despite unprecedented levels of Liberal spending, the fundamentals of the economy are weakening. Canada now faces some of the most challenging economic indicators in the G7, including high household debt, unaffordable housing, weak productivity and declining investment.”
“Seniors still living in their homes on a fixed income want to know when their money will once again be enough to live off. Entrepreneurs want to have confidence that they can grow their business and hire more staff instead of constantly facing more costs that create uncertainty and stress. They want to innovate and work on their business instead of constantly wondering how they are going to make payroll. They want to continue to contribute to their communities instead of having to cut back because of constantly higher costs. At a time when we should be focused on bringing costs down for hard-working Canadians, the bill proposes a sovereign wealth fund with no actual wealth behind it, only borrowed money. Meanwhile, the cost of servicing the national debt continues to climb.”
“It would allocate billions more to international climate finance, millions for conferences and billions in subsidies that would do little to address the immediate pressures facing hard-working Canadians. This is not a targeted plan to help families. It is an expansion of government at a time when Canadians need the exact opposite. (1325) Liberals brag about $37 billion in spending, yet if we talk to any small business owner or walk into any grocery store and ask how they are managing to navigate in this environment, they do not want to hear about billions of dollars for international climate conferences. They want to know when prices are going to start to go down so they can manage to drive their kids to the activities they love and, at the same time, keep food on their tables.”
“Seniors are being squeezed by fixed incomes that no longer go as far as they once did. Young Canadians are postponing major life decisions because the cost of home ownership feels out of reach. They are losing hope in their future in this country. When a father in Deer Lake fills up his truck to go to work, he is paying a premium for the Liberal government’s ideology. When a senior in Burgeo looks at the cost of home heating fuel, she is being squeezed by a Liberal plan that makes her life harder every single day. In that context, one would expect the legislation to show restraint and focus on affordability, but instead, it introduces $37 billion in new Liberal spending, on top of tens of billions already committed. It proposes the creation of a sovereign wealth fund that has no wealth behind it, relying instead on borrowed money.”
“The Liberals certainly do not consider the unique challenges that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador face, especially the challenges of the island portion of our province, where most of our fresh produce and everyday essentials must be shipped in. Building materials have to be brought across on the ferry. In Long Range Mountains, fuel is not a luxury but a lifeline. We do not have subways; we have vast highways with no cellphone service and unpredictable coastal weather conditions. The bill doubles down on fuel taxes that act as a geographic penalty on rural, remote and coastal Canadians. Across the country, families are already stretched thin. The rising cost of food, housing and basic necessities is forcing difficult choices at kitchen tables across the country.”
“This is just more of the same, wrapped in a new coat of paint. As always, I want to speak specifically about how this impacts the wonderful people of Long Range Mountains. When they look at this, they do not see a plan for growth. They see a document written for a boardroom full of Liberal elites. It bears no resemblance to the reality of life in Newfoundland and Labrador. At a time when hard-working Canadians are looking for relief, this offers something very different. It offers a costly credit card approach that doubles down on spending, increases the deficit and risks driving inflation even higher. The Liberal Prime Minister has now doubled the deficit left by his predecessor, from $31 billion to $65 billion, and the consequences of that decision will be borne not by the government but by hard-working Canadians.”
“To summarize the content of these headlines, if someone has been wondering what meaning to attach to that irritating phrase the Liberals are so fond of, “Canada’s new government”, they should wonder no longer, as the spring economic update makes abundantly clear that it means nothing. There is no use in being disappointed; we should all be managing our own expectations. The new government is no more interested in arresting our economic decline than the old one was. It is clear the Liberals have no intention of changing their high-spending, high-taxing ways. Economists have sounded the alarm. Without aggressive measures to boost productivity, our country will continue to slide, yet in the bill, we see no commitment to deep deregulation, no effort at broad tax reform and no plan for growth. This is not progress.”
“Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time. It is always an honour to rise in the House, and I rise today to speak to Bill C-30 , on the spring economic update. Unfortunately, the legislation confirms what Canadians already feel in their daily lives: that after years of costly Liberal fiscal policy, life is becoming more expensive, less predictable and harder to manage. Before I dive into the details, I would like to set the stage by looking at how the nation is actually receiving this update. If we want to know how far the Liberal rhetoric is from the Canadian reality, we only have to look at the headlines from The Globe and Mail and the National Post this week: “Canada Strong is still Canada deep in debt”, the Liberals’ “upside-down [fiscal] world”, and “[Canada’s] 'New Government' has no interest in arresting our economic decline”.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would just like to point out some financial indicators we have right now, particularly as they pertain to small business. The CFIB has said that for six quarters in a row, we have had more small businesses closing down than are starting up. It has described us as being in an “entrepreneurial drought”. About 55% of entrepreneurs are saying they do not suggesting opening a business. How do the Liberals square that with their economic update?”
“Madam Speaker, before the Liberals took power, children and families did not need school food programs to feed their families. Canada now has the highest food inflation in the G7. A new report from Dalhousie University confirms that one in three Canadians is now forced to borrow money just to buy groceries. Canadian families are being crushed by a decade of Liberal credit card budgeting. The Liberals keep spending more while Canadians get less. Why has the Liberal Prime Minister doubled the deficit? When will he stop his costly credit card spending so families can actually afford to eat?”
“Madam Speaker, the latest Statistics Canada data is heartbreaking for our country. Nearly 10 million Canadians, including 2.4 million children, are now living in food-insecure households. At home, this means parents in Cow Head and Mainland are skipping meals so their kids can eat. It means seniors are choosing between heat and meat, yet this week's budget shows the Liberals are still addicted to credit card spending, which drives up the cost of everything. The Prime Minister has doubled Trudeau's deficit. How many more children in Newfoundland and Labrador have to go hungry before the Liberal Prime Minister stops his costly credit card spending and makes food affordable?”
“At a time when Statistics Canada reports the worst food inflation in the G7, Canadians should not have to choose between buying groceries and filling their tanks. Conservatives will keep fighting to lower costs and deliver the real results Canadians are still waiting for.”
“Mr. Speaker, Canadians are feeling the pressure every time they pull up to the pump, and they are not getting the relief that they were promised. The Prime Minister claims affordability is a priority, but his plan only scrapped a fraction of fuel taxes for a fraction of the year, leaving Canadians still paying almost 15% more than the Americans because of high taxes and a weak dollar. In Newfoundland and Labrador, families are already stretched thin, paying more at the pump, more for groceries and more to heat their homes. Conservatives are calling for real relief: the removal of federal gas and diesel taxes for the rest of the year, including the GST on fuel. That would mean up to 25¢ per litre in savings, about $20 every time a family fills up and over $1,200 this year.”
“This bill is about honouring that compassion, ensuring that stories like theirs are not only told but remembered, and encouraging more Canadians to consider how they too might one day give the gift of life. I am proud to support this bill and have this opportunity.”
“They are quite simply giving a gift that cannot be measured. Next week is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week in Canada, a time to reflect on the importance of donation, to have conversations with loved ones and to consider how each one of us can make a difference. It is also a time to recognize those who already have. Bill C-234 allows us to do that tangibly. It allows us as parliamentarians to come together and affirm something important, that acts of extraordinary generosity should not go unnoticed. It would be deeply meaningful to the Canadians who give so much of themselves to be recognized by the country they have helped strengthen. Robin's story and the actions of his brother Dan and his sister Mollie remind us of what is possible when compassion leads the way.”
“Across Canada, there are thousands of similar stories of families, friends and even strangers stepping forward to give the gift of life, and yet, despite the profound impact of these acts, we do not have a formal national way to recognize living donors. (1850) That is what Bill C-234 seeks to change. It proposes the creation of a living donor recognition medal to be included within Canada's honours system. It is not about reward, but about raising awareness and acknowledgement, saying in a meaningful and lasting way that what these individuals have done matters not just to the recipients, but to all of us as parliamentarians and Canadians. When someone steps forward as a living donor, they are not only saving a life, but also strengthening families, supporting communities and easing the burden on our health care system.”
“It is selflessness in its purest form, choosing to put someone else's life ahead of one's own comfort. Thanks to his sister's donation, Robin was given a new lease on life. He was able to travel and spend time camping with his grandchildren. He was able to enjoy the moments that matter most, moments that might not have been possible otherwise. He remained deeply grateful, and his family remains deeply grateful, not just for the outcome but for the generosity that made it possible. The transplant gave Robin years of his life without dialysis, and that meant a much fuller life. Robin's story is powerful but, unfortunately, it is not unique.”
“Within less than a year, the transplant had failed entirely. Robin was forced to return to dialysis, this time at home, using a hemodialysis unit. His story does not end there. Seven years later, another person stepped forward, his sister, Mollie. Like her brother before her, Mollie went through testing. Like Dan, she made the decision to give a part of herself so that her brother could live a fuller, healthier life. Both Dan and Mollie put their lives on hold: Their work, their routines and their responsibilities all took a back seat. They underwent major surgery and accepted real risks. They faced recovery periods that were not easy and yet they never described what they did as a sacrifice. They saw it as an act of love for their brother. That is what living organ donation is.”
“He continued running the family business and focused on providing for his family. Over time, it became clear he would need dialysis. For a year, Robin travelled back and forth to the hospital for treatment. Anyone who has experienced or witnessed dialysis knows how demanding it is physically, emotionally and mentally. It was during that time that his brother Dan stepped forward. Dan went through testing, hoping he might be a match, and he was. Without hesitation, he made the decision to donate one of his kidneys to his brother. That decision changed Robin's life but, as we know, transplantation is not without risk. After a few months, the transplanted kidney began to fail. It was not rejection, something many are familiar with, but instead the reactivation of a virus that had been dormant.”
“Robin's journey began when he was in his twenties. He was diagnosed with diabetes and, years later, learned that his kidneys were beginning to fail. Robin's illness was severe. For as long as I knew him, he spent much of his life unwell before eventually passing away. However, what always stood out to me was that, despite his illness, he remained the funniest person I knew. He never focused on his illness but instead lived his life to the fullest. When our families would visit, we would all be crowded around him, waiting for the next funny story he would tell us. We hung on to his every word. He loved to laugh. In addition to his remarkable sense of humour, during his journey, like many Canadians with complex health challenges, he did not stop. He always kept going. He pushed through fatigue.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in support of Bill C-234 , introduced by my colleague and friend from Edmonton Manning . This is a bill I often speak about when I am home in Long Range Mountains and I am asked to share about my work in Ottawa, not only because it concerns heroic Canadians, but also because it demonstrates what can be achieved when members work collaboratively for the benefit of remarkable Canadians we have the honour of representing, individuals who make tremendous sacrifices for others. It highlights Canadians who make an extraordinary decision to give a part of themselves so that someone else can live. It also brings awareness about the importance of living organ donation. Today, I would like to begin with a story about two of these incredible Canadians that begins with a close family friend, Robin.”
“Fewer homes are being built, while young families wonder if they will ever afford one. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not need another empty Liberal promise; they need results. Conservatives are fighting to end the waste, cut the taxes, unleash our resources, approve projects and build homes so Canadians can once again afford to live, work and raise a family.”
“Mr. Speaker, after years of the Prime Minister 's recycled speeches and empty promises, Canadians are still waiting for relief that never comes. There was nothing new in his latest message; just the same words, while costs rise and families fall further behind. In March, Canada again had the highest grocery price inflation in the G7. In Newfoundland and Labrador, families are paying more and getting less at the checkouts and at the pumps. We are in an entrepreneurial drought, with 55% of small business owners not recommending starting a business. Why is that? It is because this Prime Minister doubled down on deficits, printed money and kept taxes high, driving up the cost of everything. There are no major resource projects. There is no plan to get our energy to market.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the member opposite has taken up a tremendous amount of time and not once has he spoken directly to this concurrence motion. The reality is that there are people in my riding who are really interested to know how the government is going to respond to this. He talked about being disappointed. Do you know who is disappointed? It is the young people in this country. You decided to play partisan politics instead. I have a very simple question. Is it because you do not care about this? Is that the answer?”
“Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree. I think it is divisive in nature. I hear all the time from people in my riding that they do not like the divisiveness that Canadians are experiencing right now. They do not like how one group is pitted against another, and this is the exact type of policy that creates this division in our communities and among Canadians. Again, we are trying to correct bad actors instead of dealing head-on with the situation that has been created. We are trying to fix a specific problem and we are inadvertently punishing a bunch of rural communities and rural Canadians in the process. This is not good policy, which is exactly why we put forward recommendations that the government reconsider.”
“Mr. Speaker, I can speak to a specific example as well. In my riding specifically, students applying to be heavy-duty mechanics often try to enter programs and they are completely filled. The private institutions then look at the entire educational path ecosystem and decide which communities they would like to have their operations in. That complements the communities that have the needs and the workforce shortages. This is exactly the type of flexibility that places in rural Canada need in order to educate, train and put people to work so they can thrive in the communities that they love.”
“Mr. Speaker, this question was posed by the member previously and my colleague provided a procedural answer, which I thought satisfied the question. In addition to that, comments and statements like that are divisive to the Canadian people on prioritizing certain priorities. Essentially, he is saying that the concerns from coastal and rural communities about this very important issue are not as important as something that he might have on his agenda. I reject that. I think that is completely dismissing the concerns that I brought up in my speech for the last 10 minutes.”
““We communicate regularly with provincial government...and community groups to find and implement proactive workforce development solutions in partnerships with one another. To be clear, regulated career colleges provide an important service for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We understand and support the government's desire, but we believe eliminating the Canada student grant for learners in programs longer than one year at career colleges moves Canada and workforce development efforts in the wrong direction.” (1025)”
“Far too often, our young people leave their homes, their families and their neighbours to go to the mainland to pursue their education. The harsh reality is that in a lot of cases, they never come back. It is exactly these types of decisions from Ottawa that are contributing to our inability to educate and retain our youth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Finally, I will end with a quote from the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Career Colleges, which sums it up best: “Newfoundland and Labrador has a strong, collaborative post-secondary ecosystem where regulated career colleges complement public colleges. We work with our regulators and student aid officials to ensure accountability in student financial assistance.”
“They contribute to our economy, support our communities and help address some of the most pressing labour challenges we face. They should not be placed at a disadvantage because of the institution they choose to attend. Educational pathways are not one-size-fits-all. Whether a student chooses a university or a career-focused institution, they deserve to be treated fairly and supported equally. That is especially true for students in rural, coastal and remote regions, where access to education already comes with additional challenges. I want to conclude on this thought. One of the reasons I left the private sector to pursue a political career is that I wanted to influence policy that impacts the next generation and their ability to live, work and thrive in the communities they grew up in.”
“I want to acknowledge that the government has indicated there may be flexibility to consider exemptions on a case-by-case basis. While that may provide some relief, it would also introduce additional uncertainty and administrative complexity. Students and institutions benefit from clarity and predictability, particularly when making decisions about education and investment. A system based on exemptions does not provide a clear and equitable framework. The report before us calls for a reconsideration of how these changes are being applied and for an approach that aligns with provincial decisions and treats students equitably. These are reasonable recommendations that reflect the concerns raised by stakeholders across the country. Students pursuing practical job-ready careers are an essential part of Canada's future.”
“Education is primarily a provincial responsibility. Provinces and territories determine which institutions are recognized and regulated within their jurisdictions. They oversee quality, accountability and outcomes. The recommendation in the report, that the federal government align with provincial and territorial decisions on eligible institutions, is appropriate. It reflects the reality that provinces and territories are best positioned to understand their own education systems and workforce needs. If the government's objective is to achieve cost savings, that objective should be pursued in a way that is equitable and proportionate right across the country. To simply shift the impact onto a specific group of students raises legitimate concerns about fairness and effectiveness.”
“I would like to point out that they have strong institutional integrity, as they are regulated career colleges that support strong oversight, clear accountability and effective enforcement of existing legislation and policy directives. There is the broader question of workforce development. Canada is currently facing significant labour shortages in a number of sectors, including skilled trades, health care and applied professions. Career colleges play a vital and important role in addressing these shortages by providing targeted job-ready training aligned with local labour market needs. We should be encouraging participation in these programs. This policy risks the opposite. It will reduce enrolment in areas where demand for workers is already high. Over time, that will contribute to widening workforce gaps rather than closing them.”
“These institutions are part of a broader, collaborative post-secondary system. They are regulated at the provincial level, are operated under established frameworks and work alongside public institutions to meet local labour market needs. (1020) I have heard directly from hard-working Canadians, students and stakeholders who are very concerned about the impact of this policy, including institutions like Academy Canada and Keyin College in Newfoundland and Labrador, which play an important role in training students for in-demand careers in the province. These institutions have indicated that hundreds of students in Newfoundland and Labrador alone could be affected, particularly in programs that are longer than one year.”
“It was a career I was interested in, and I knew there was a need. Therefore, I was able to transition out of the food and beverage industry into a career that I loved. Thereafter, it also created the strong legal knowledge that I needed for my longer career in real estate. These opportunities will become constrained, as many would not be able to attend career colleges with these programs without financial assistance. Again, this program was not offered in the public colleges or universities. Opportunities in more rural areas of the country can be limited, and it is important that we do not negatively impact those seeking to live, work and thrive at home. Limiting access to student grants for these institutions will disproportionately impact those communities where opportunities are already more difficult to access.”
“Removing grant eligibility for these career colleges will discourage enrolment, increase financial barriers and limit opportunities for lower- and middle-income Canadians who are seeking to improve their circumstances through education. In fact, I can speak personally to this. After completing a university undergraduate degree, I was not employable with that skill set in the community I lived in and grew up in. Accordingly, I went on to complete a paralegal certificate program at a private career college, Academy Canada in Corner Brook, that was not available through a traditional university pathway. It was a practical, career-focused program that allowed me to enter the workforce with the skills I needed to support my family. After completion, I was actually employed by my instructor in a small firm in the community I grew up in.”
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a much higher percentage of its population that is older and a much lower percentage of its population that is younger relative to Canada overall and to the rest of Atlantic Canada. Not only must we train more people for ongoing operations and business succession plans, but we must also become more productive and more diversified in order to grow our economy. More broadly, there is the question of access and affordability. Many students who attend career colleges rely on these grants to finance their education. These programs are often more targeted and designed to lead directly to employment. They are particularly important for individuals looking to re-skill, enter the workforce quickly or pursue practical, in-demand careers.”
“Governments have a responsibility to ensure that public funds are used effectively and that student aid programs deliver strong outcomes. Any changes to student aid must consider how students are actually accessing education and training across the country, with an understanding of students from rural, remote and coastal communities like Long Range Mountains. This is where the current policy raises some important concerns. While we have much in common, regions across the country have unique profiles of challenges and strengths. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are current, pervasive and ongoing workforce shortages across industry sectors based in part on the retirement of the baby boomer generation. There are more people retiring from the workforce than there are people joining the workforce.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the request that the government reconsider its policy on the distribution of student grants based on the type of regulated institution where students are studying and instead align with decisions about eligible institutions made by the provinces and territories. Student financial assistance for students from rural, remote and coastal communities, where access is limited and the cost of post-secondary education is often higher, is extremely important. For many Canadians, access to grants is what makes post-secondary education possible. It allows students to pursue training, build skills and contribute meaningfully to our economy. In addition, and most importantly, in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is an important component in helping us train and therefore retain our youth.”