I wish to respond to the editorial written by NDP leader Jack Layton in the January 31 edition of The Varsity (“University is not a commodity”). In that article, Mr. Layton did not accurately reflect the view of the Conservative Party of Canada on higher education.

The Conservative Party of Canada believes that education is fundamental to personal growth and prosperity. The opportunity for young Canadians to receive affordable, quality post-secondary education is fundamental.

Long-term investment in Canada’s post-secondary institutions must be made to allow more young people the opportunity to attend, and to improve the quality of the education and training offered. That’s why I have proposed an annual, committed federal contribution to post-secondary institutions.

I am personally proud of having advocated the introduction of a Canada Learning Bond, and having introduced legislative amendments to make Registered Education Savings Plans available for part-time study-an amendment which is now law. Canada Student Loans must also tailor its policies to be more responsive to the needs of individual students and must reduce its interest rate from 2.5 per cent + prime to one percent + prime, which is comparable to other lenders.

In contrast, the Liberal Party and Paul Martin have consistently turned their back on young Canadians by slashing program funding to colleges and universities by 49 per cent over the past 10 years. College funding for training and apprenticeships in Ontario has been cut by 75 per cent and is available only to a small percentage of those who are seeking a skilled trade. At the same time, the government has admitted to a worsening shortage of skilled labour and an ever-growing productivity gap with our competitors.

It is students who are paying for these cuts through higher tuition fees and larger student debt, which in turn makes it more difficult for recent graduates to build a career and start a family. Students should not have to pay for the Liberal Party’s neglect and it is the belief of the Conservative Party of Canada that investing in higher education and lowering the debt burden will provide a brighter future for young Canadians.

The Conservative Party of Canada will continue to work to support higher education as the means to achieve personal fulfillment, and a healthier, equitable, culturally rich, and economically prosperous Canada.