Ah the great West. Such a wonderful place to go to school, get a career, and raise a family. Why, then, do westerners find themselves short-changed? I can't speak for everyone of course, however everything I write here is from my own experience so I feel that it's valid. 

When I started life, I lived in an apartment with my parents. I don't remember this part of my life, though, as shortly after I was born we moved to a small starter home in the town of Whitby, Ontario. This was where I've lived the longest so far - where all of my childhood memories stem from. I remember times where my father had some difficulties making ends meet, but for the most part we were your typical middle-class citizens.

Today, it seems, times have changed. No longer are you able to leave highschool with mediocre marks and expect to make a decent living - everything these days involves a piece of paper stating that you are educated enough to be able to do what past generations learned in a day or two. This piece of paper that I'm talking about comes from either college or university.

When did it become such a government institution, I'm wondering? Have you checked recently the price of tuition for even the (seemingly) most trivial of courses? Over the past few years it seems to have doubled from what it used to be - with compulsory fees for new building construction, athletic improvements, etc. That is just included in tuition nowadays. And forget government assistance.

Try going to your local agency and ask for a loan, or even go as far as asking for free money to better yourself. HA! Not only does no one in the office know who it is that you need to talk to, but the paperwork required for the smallest of requests is insurmountable. It's almost as though they want you to give up halfway through and just pay for yourself - and I have a feeling that it's exactly what they're expecting.

Well, not this girl.

I WILL NOT let the people who are coming into this country take advantage of all the 'free money' when I'm the one who's been paying taxes since I was 16. I'm the one whose parents worked hard for years and years doing everything 'by the books' to raise their kids right. I'm the one who's a Canadian born citizen and deserves a break once in a while! Why does no one understand this?!?!?!

I will ensure that I have the same opportunities as those entering the country this week. I will ensure that any grants, loans, bursaries or scholarships that are within my grasp will be applied for. I will be heard - and I will not go away.