Maal pace

"We've also brought in income tax credits for students. We've basically said that if students have trouble paying back a loan, we'll give them deferments, both of interest and then ultimately of principal. In fact, we are allowing students to write off half the loan in 10 years if they can't pay it back. So, essentially the whole purpose [of exempting students from the bankruptcy act] is to help students not have to go into bankruptcy."

On the subject of what he believes to be the private sector's role in the on-going financial support for universities, Martin spoke of a partnership between corporate and academic Canada.

Through initiatives like the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Martin said Ottawa would pay that portion of the partnership's costs that the university could not

pay.

The inception of the CFI, according to Martin, was in response to universities contacting the government wanting to engage in work with the private sector, but being unable to do so asa result be ofa lack of money.

But Martin also said he believes strongly in the continued role of government as principal financier for basic research, and applied research that may not be attractive to the private sector.

"T think that money is scarce and it is important to have a multitude of sources of funding," he said.

"But I think that it is very important to maintain a university's independence. I don't think that universities should be beholden to anybody whether it's the private sector, or, in fact, government."

He described a free

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university system as one of the "essences" of a modern, liberated society.

"I would not want to see the private sector dictating the future of our university system, and I believe that can be controlled," Martin said. "Where the private sectors prepared to put up money, as long as it doesn't constrain the university's freedom I think it is a legitimate thing to do."

As to whether his government is doing enough to keep educated young Canadians from moving to the United States, Martin believes the battle to keep Canadians in Canada is primarily a "function of opportunity."

He further believes his government has made great strides to support small business and promote ideas in an effort to present sufficient reason for Canadians to stay in this country.

Martin also believes the flow of young minds in and out of the country, and the arrival of foreign

minds in Canada from abroad, is important for growth and

development.

"In a border-less world, young people are constantly going to look for their opportunities, and some are going to leave, and people from abroad are going to come here, and some of the people who have gone abroad will stay and then they'll come back." Martin said. "There is nothing the matter with a young person leaving the country for 10 years and then coming back and bringing all those skills here and the same thing in reverse."

Ultimately, Martin wants Canada to be the destination for graduates and young people from this country because they can accomplish all their goals, financial or personal, here.

He concluded by making a personal commitment to keeping the development of education, and increasing student financial aid at the top of his priorities.

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