The Best Policy Proposal So Far...

Last week while no one was looking, Paul Martin announced a small package of policies and to my mind they are the most important policies announces so far in the campaign. To quote from the press release:

“Reducing the cost of tuition for Canadian families, and improving Canadians’ access to skills training and employment opportunities is about ensuring that all Canadians – and their families – can prosper in the global economy,” the Prime Minister said. “It is about helping Canadian families be full partners in an innovative, competitive and inclusive workforce in Canada.”

1. Here's the outline of the policy:
2. The government will pay half the first year of tuition and half the last year of tuition for Canadian students(up to $6000 total).
3. They will inaugurate 75 scholarships in memory of Lester B Pearson which send 25 Canadians overseas to study and brings 50 students from overseas here to Canada to study.
4. Make University more accessible by opening up full grants to an additional 55 000 students.
5. Double the number of apprenticeship graduates in Canada to 75000 in the next 6 years.
6. Make is easier for those on social assistance to transition back to the work force without being penalized.

Here's a strategy that improves access to post-secondary education in a meaningful way, not just for those who can already pay. But the government also says that not every Canadian is interested in an academic education and for those interested in the trades, real opportunities are also created. These are two policies I've been advocating about as long as I've been a Liberal and I look forward to them becoming the government's policy. Comments?