For Immediate Release

Progressive Canadian Party Launches Education Policy

London, ON - On Monday November 6, 2006, at 1:00pm, Steve Hunter, Candidate, London North Centre for the Progressive Canadian (PC) Party will announce the party policy for Education.

"Weeks ago, the Stephen Harper government cut funding to literacy programs. They did it quietly, by administrative powers and without debate in the house of Commons. They certainly didn't speak to the press. That should tell what this government thinks about education. It should also tell you how much they want to keep that hidden from you."

"We are here," said Hunter, "to lay a foundation. Something that everything else can be built upon. That foundation is education and information. This campaign shouldn't be about where people are from or who can point the biggest finger. I am here to make sure that this campaign is about ideas. Myself and the PC Party believe in good ideas, no matter the origin. I'm also here to tell you that London voters have a unique opportunity in this election. Send a message to Stephen Harper and tell him - restore funding for literacy. Invest in our future. Invest in education."

The party will announce a four point plan aimed at making Canada's post secondary education system accessible to all Canadians. A cornerstone of the plan is a revamped student assistance program which will cover tuition, books and living expenses for students. While the assistance would take the form of a loan, it would be forgiven over a period of years if the student graduates and remains a resident of Canada.

Other related items in the program include increased and stable operational funding of areas where fund raising is most difficult. Existing programs, pure research and development as well as a infrastructure investment program to deal with aging school infrastructures. "It's never easy to raise money," says Hunter, "You can't put a plaque on a repaired foundation or roof. There is no 'chair' of reduced class sizes."

The party platform also includes measures to address some of the barriers that make post secondary education inaccessible to far too many people. "It's not a one size fits all," says Tracy Parsons, Leader, "whether its aboriginal children, children with disabilities or youth in poverty - whatever the reason, we owe it to these youth and to ourselves to ensure that everyone who has the drive to succeed gets the support they need."

Parsons also noted that although the program is aimed at post-secondary education, not all the funds will be aimed at universities. Colleges and advanced vocational institutes will also receive funds. "There are a lot of jobs out there where real shortages exist and where training is critical," she noted, "fixing a car, building a house - many so called 'blue-collar' jobs require levels of knowledge and training that were unheard of as little as 20 years ago."

Party President Jim Love is adamant that this program fits the party's socially progressive stance, but also their fiscally responsible image. "As Progressive Canadians, we have a responsibility to ensure that every dollar we invest has a long term, measurable payback," said Love. "Studies have shown that our lagging productivity is the greatest threat to our standard of living and our ability to compete in the world. One estimate puts the productivity gap between us and the US at a value of 90 billion dollars a year. Even a small portion of that will pay for these program many times over."

The Progressive Canadian (PC) Party is a registered Federal Political Party comprised of progressive-conservative minded Canadians rebuilding from the roots of the former Progressive Conservative Party. For more information on the PC Party, it's policies, structure or general information, go to www.progressivecanadian.org or call 866-812-6972.