HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, February 18, 2008 - Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore - St. Margaret's, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding to support local organizations delivering outreach activities that will help Canadian families save for their children's education.
The federal government will provide $811,635 to the Social and Enterprise Development Innovations' (SEDI), My Child's Future, program. This program offers practical assistance to help families access grants such as the Canada Education Savings Grant, and the Canada Learning Bond.
"Our Government recognizes that access to post-secondary education and building a highly skilled workforce is essential to securing future opportunities for young Canadians, and is critical to Canada's economic growth and prosperity. This investment will help encourage low and middle income families save for their children's future education," Mr. Keddy said.
Mr. Keddy made this announcement at the Halifax YWCA which will receive $153,000 for its My Child's Future project. The balance of the funds will support similar community projects in Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg.
Chantal Brushett, Coordinator of the Halifax component of My Child's Future, said, "This project is an opportunity to stress the importance of saving for post-secondary education. We want to give Haligonians the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to access these incentives."
"For many parents, being able to save and afford post-secondary education for their children is a struggle," said Adam Fair, Program Coordinator, SEDI. "My Child's Future will make the dream of attending post-secondary education a reality for hundreds of families across Canada."
Over the next three years, YWCA Halifax will enable local families to begin saving for their children's education by providing community outreach activities. Services will be available through YWCA Halifax's new location at 1233 Barrington Street.
Parents can obtain additional information about the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) by calling 1-800-O Canada, or online at www.canlearn.ca.
Parents in Halifax can obtain additional information about the My Child's Future Project by contacting the YWCA Halifax at
c.brushett@ywcahalifax.com or 423-6162 (Ext. 256).
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For more information, contact:
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
