WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, May 20, 2008 - The Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Provencher, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding to support The University of Winnipeg's "Improving Access to Post-Secondary Education for Aboriginal and New Canadian Children and Youth" project. This project aims to support and encourage Canadian families, especially Aboriginal and New Canadians, to save for their children's post-secondary education.
"The Government of Canada is committed to creating the best educated, most skilled, most flexible workforce in the world," said Minister Toews. "This project with the University of Winnipeg will encourage more families to save for their children's education and help more students attend college and university."
The federal government will contribute $746,500 over three years to the project which offers practical assistance to help families access Government of Canada incentives such as the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB).
"The University of Winnipeg has the capacity and existing community relationships to lead this project," said, said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor. "The University's goal is to deliver excellent and accessible education by providing information to, and working in partnership with, communities that do not traditionally attend university."
Over the next three years, the Government of Canada will also benefit from the research and analysis that will be conducted by the University of Winnipeg's Institute of Urban Studies regarding the outcomes of families who attend Family Night Information Sessions.
The Education Savings Community Outreach contribution program supports local, regional, national and umbrella non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, professional organizations, and provincial/territorial and municipal governments, in the development and delivery of projects with the goal of increasing the level of understanding and participation in the CLB and the CESG.
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.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development
819-994-5559
