That is what they are going to do with him and his colleagues across the way.
My colleague from St. Boniface has spoken eloquently on this issue of student loans, as he speaks eloquently on a number of issues. My colleague from St. Boniface issued a press release on February 18 pleading with the government. This hon. gentleman is an educator. He is a tenured professor at a university and a professor emeritus, and knows this issue better than many other hon. members. He knows the damage this is causing.
I cannot understand this. We have a government across the way that has embarked on a program-and I know because I participated in the process in my own riding-called the stay in school initiative to try to convince our young people not to drop out and stay in school. It is a program to convince them that there is a better future for them. What kind of conflicting message are we sending to young people when on one hand we are telling them not to quit school and on the other hand we are imposing user fees on them if they stay in school and are removing the provisions to help them stay in school?
What kind of a message is that? It is a stupid message, that is what it is, and it is wrong. I know they have a majority government today. When the time comes consideration of this bill will end. On Monday there will be a vote on it because the government has invoked closure.
I say to the members across the way: "Never mind the nonsense; vote against this bill. It does not defeat the government. That is not true. That is hog-wash. Even if it is a so-called budget bill, it does not defeat the government. It defeats the bill". It would be a heck of a slap on the face of the Minister of Finance but it should still be done.