North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney has written a letter of support for the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program. In her letter to minister of finance Chrystia Freeland, Blaney urged the Government of Canada to renew its commitment to the program with a one-time investment of $20 million.
“It is clear to me that supporting this program serves the best interests of Canadians and our economy, overall,” wrote Blaney. “This unique scholarship program is well-managed, but it faces tremendous pressures and increasing demand.”
Blaney noted that while the national average tuition for post-secondary students in Canada has increased by more than 820 per cent since 1982, the award, which was intended to cover more than tuition, has only grown by 233 per cent. It has not received additional government support in 18 years, according to a media release from Blaney.
“The values of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Program align solidly with the values of Canadians and the government,” added Blaney. “Over the past 41 years, these individuals advanced many humanitarian causes, and require our support. As a child I watched Terry Fox run across the country and I remember thinking about how brave he was. This honours his legacy.”
Established through two agreements with the Government of Canada in 1982 and 2006, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award is granted annually to students who have voluntarily completed humanitarian service and overcome adversity. They must be planning to or already be studying toward their first university degree or diploma at a Canadian post-secondary institution, or entering their second year of CEGEP in the upcoming academic year.
“While most scholarships prioritize grades and leadership, this award weighs: humanitarianism as defined by the depth and breadth of impact on others, particularly in areas addressing the most pressing needs of today; and courage and tenacity in overcoming obstacles such as those faced by our nation’s most marginalized communities,” said Blaney.
For more information on the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, go to terryfoxawards.ca.
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