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LETTERS: Education bill was voted down

Dear Editor: Canada’s schools are repeatedly under-funded, and have been for some time. On top of this, unlike some other public organizations, school authorities are not able to recover the full amount of GST they pay on their expenses.

Dear Editor:

Canada’s schools are repeatedly under-funded, and have been for some time. On top of this, unlike some other public organizations, school authorities are not able to recover the full amount of GST they pay on their expenses.

I set out to right this wrong with my private member’s bill, C-241. This bill would have reimbursed school authorities across the country with the full 100 per cent of GST paid on almost everything they purchase. Currently, they pay the full GST and are only reimbursed 68 per cent. In the 2014-15 school year, the additional 32 per cent reimbursement would have given schools in British Columbia an additional $17.4 million.

This certainly would have made a difference for Canada’s schools and our children. Unfortunately, when it came time to vote on this bill in the House of Commons, the Liberal majority voted it down – including your British Columbia member of Parliament, Terry Beech (Burnaby North–Seymour). This lack of support for schools is shocking to me. But it’s even more puzzling because your member of Parliament has a background in the education system. I encourage you to contact your MP and ask why they voted against giving more money to Canada’s schools.

Kevin Waugh, MP for Saskatoon-Grasswood