Feds Pondering Tax Breaks For Aboriginal Graduates

Feds Pondering Tax Breaks For Aboriginal Graduates

Monday, February 04, 2008 at 13:05

The executive director of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association says the government should look at slashing income tax for Aboriginal students immediately after they graduate high school.

Bill Wells argues the move would give First Nations and Metis youth extra incentive to complete grade 12.

The idea was recently presented to the federal government’s finance committee by the Canadian School Board Association.

Wells expects the committee will write a report to present to politicians.

He says current graduation rates of Aboriginal students are far too low and something has to change.

Wells acknowledges there are other issues surrounding poor Aboriginal graduation rates, such as curriculum and inadequate social supports.

Still, he feels the tax break idea should be looked at seriously.