So the Liberals released their platform over the weekend, and the Conservatives are basing theirs on the budget that the House never voted on. Here is a handy
issue-by-issue comparison, if you're interested. I mainly wanted to see who turned out better in youth issues and student issues, and the Liberals won this one.
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Liberals:
- In year two, provide $1,000 each year to every university or college student, for up to four years. Low-income families get more ($1,500).
- Forgive $1,500 in student-loan debt for Canadians who volunteer with the Canada Service Corps.
- $200 million over two years for aboriginal post-secondary education.
Conservatives:
- Will allow Canadian students at foreign universities to qualify for existing tax breaks if their study term is less than 13 weeks.
Or, you know, the Liberals could just lower everyone's tuition by $1000. Please please please?
The Liberals also plan to provide incentives to medium-sized businesses who hire 18 to 25-year-old workers. And then there's this, not strictly a youth issue but a student one:
VETERANS
Liberals:
- Free tuition, up to four years of post-secondary or technical training, for veterans who've completed their service.
- Will review controversial lump-sum payment disability award.
Conservatives:
- Will put into effect a new Veterans Charter Act which expands eligibility for monthly allowances for seriously injured veterans and also boosts benefits.
RURAL
Liberals:
- $500 million to ensure 100 per cent high-speed Internet connectivity within three years.
- Student loan forgiveness for those who served in rural or underserved small towns: $8,000 per year (up to $40,000) for family doctors; $4,000 (up to $20,000) for nurses and nurse practitioners.
Conservatives:
- To attract health care workers to rural areas, Tories will forgive up to $40,000 in loans for new family doctors, and up to $20,000 for nurse practitioners and nurses.
So, yeah. I would say the Liberals won this round in the youth vote race.
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