Thetford Mines, Quebec – On behalf of the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Secretary of State (Agriculture), Member of Parliament (Mégantic—L’Érable), confirmed that the Government of Canada is providing selective rebates on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that school boards and councils have paid for school transportation. As a result, the Commission scolaire des Appalaches will receive $618,032.43.

“Our government believes that it is only fair that our school boards receive these rebates,” said Minister Paradis. “This is a significant sum of money for the students in those communities.”

The initiative, proposed in the 2007 budget, will provide school administrations in Quebec and Ontario with about $17 million.

The government will also continue its policy of considering school transportation services provided by school administrations to be GST exempt.

“The Commission scolaire des Appalaches and school boards throughout Quebec and Ontario fought hard to correct this injustice and to get the money back. Our government listened to them and is giving them back money that they can now use to provide our children with the education they deserve,” Minister Paradis added.