On April 3, the Nova Scotia government announced it is eliminating the Graduate Retention Rebate, worth $49 million per year or as much as $15,000 for individual recipients. Just as Nova Scotia faces dramatic demographic decline, endemic out-migration and high youth unemployment, the Liberal government is diverting funding from supporting youth in the economy. All told they will take approximately $34 million per year from support for students and graduates, $136 million over their four-year mandate if this policy continues.

This decision sends a message that youth economic success is not a priority for the government of Nova Scotia. However, the success of our youth is a priority for Nova Scotians. We cannot afford to continue losing our young people and fail to support young newcomers. The Province of Nova Scotia must reinvest this money immediately.

By signing this petition, we are committing to vote in the next provincial election and we will not support a government that does not support youth. We are calling on the Province to return this money to our young people!