Harper to Boost Apprenticeship and Postsecondary Education Assistance

08 December 2005

Conservatives will provide assistance for tools and books

NORTH BAY – Conservative leader Stephen Harper today announced that a new Conservative government will boost assistance for apprentices and students.

“Education and training remains the single most effective investment in the future prosperity of Canadians,” said Harper.

While opportunities in the skilled trades are limitless, many young Canadians find themselves stuck in low-paying work and are either not encouraged to consider the trades, or unable to do so because of financial barriers. For the sake of Canada’s economy and our quality of life, the federal government must recognize and promote the trades.

As part of our broad-based initiatives for the trades, we are announcing a Tools Tax Deduction of up to $500. We will allow employees who must purchase tools as a condition of their employment to fully deduct the cost of those tools under $500.
Conservative initiatives for the trades include:
• A Tools Tax Deduction for up to $500 spent on tools;
• A $1,000 Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for two years for apprentices in approved programs; and
• An Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit of 10 per cent of an apprenticeship’s wages for two years to a maximum of $2,000.

For all students – whether in trades, technical schools or universities – the cost of purchasing books is rising, and is estimated to be as high as $1,200 per year for some students. The purchase of these books is not optional for students, and adds to the cost of attending university.

As part of our broad-based initiatives for education, the Conservatives are therefore announcing a tax credit of up to $500 to help cover the cost of textbooks.

Conservative initiatives for education include:
• A tax credit for students or their parents of up to $500 to help cover the costs of textbooks;
• Cooperation with the provinces to increase family income thresholds for student loan eligibility; and
• Exemption of the first $10,000 of student scholarship or bursary income from taxation.

“We will focus assistance directly on students and their parents,” Harper concluded.

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