According to Mr. Pettigrew, rather than helping to find a solution that is in the best interests of young people, Mr. Bouchard put forward a one-sided proposal that provides no room for reconciling the respective principles of each party. Right from the start, the Government of Quebec asked to be able to opt out with compensation, and throughout the talks its position never changed.
Education is an area of provincial jurisdiction.
The millennium scholarships are not part of the permanent Canada Student Loans structure. This is a time-limited project to celebrate the new millennium by emphasizing knowledge and expertise, the keys to success in the new economy. The Foundation will even be able to receive contributions from the private sector, because young people s access to the new knowledge-based economy must be everyone s concern. The Government of Canada intends to move forward with the creation of the Foundation that will be responsible for awarding the millennium scholarships. He wants young Quebecers to have the same possibility of receiving millennium scholarships as their fellow Canadians in the other provinces, and thus encouraging all young people to pursue their post-secondary education.