The federal government plays an indirect but vital role in education. It provides financial support for post-secondary education, labour market training and the teaching of the two official languages - especially second-language training. In addition, it is responsible for the education of Aboriginal peoples, armed forces personnel and their dependents, and inmates of federal correctional facilities.

The Canada Student Loans Program, which assists over 350,000 Canadian post-secondary students each year, represents the cornerstone of the government's commitment to making post-secondary education accessible.

The programme provides loans and pays the interests on the loan while the student is in school. The Canada Student Loans Program also has a number of repayment options for borrowers who have difficulty making payments after leaving school.

In addition, in 1998, the government introduced the $2.5 billion Canada Millennium Scholarships initiative to help Canadians gain access to post-secondary education and reduce student debt. The independent body created to manage the fund and administer the scholarships assists some 100,000 Canadian students annually through its two scholarship programs.

Bursaries averaging $3,000 are granted to students on the basis of financial need and merit. 'Excellence Awards' are granted to those who demonstrate the capacity for leadership. Individuals can receive up to $19,200 over a maximum of 32 months of study.

The Canada Education Savings Grant programme was launched in 1998 to help offset the increasing costs of post-secondary education by supplementing Canadians' educational savings. Its purpose is to make post-secondary education more accessible to young Canadians.

The government provides a grant of an additional 20 per cent on top of Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) contributions, up to a maximum of $400 annually, until the child turns 17, which can add up to as much as $7,200 by the time a child is ready for post-secondary education. More than a million Canadians have received the CES Grant on their RESP contributions since 1998.