Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Conservative government promised many things when they ran in the last election and, in fairness, they are delivering on many of the promises regardless of what political stripes you wear. The key platform they had was to stand up for Canadians and that resonated everywhere. At least it was the very theme of their campaign. But like all good advertisements and slogans, you have to read the fine print. Maybe they had a disclaimer as to which Canadians or issues they were standing up for, but as always the devil truly is in the details. The Conservative government describes the latest cuts in the words of the Finance Minister and Treasury Board president who make no apologies as cuts that reflect priorities of working families. They further go on to say they’re about value for money. I believe they are neglecting those who need the literacy help money the most.

The problem is, these actions make no sense, Mr. Speaker. They are shameless cuts to literacy that overlook serious facts. Four out of 10 Canadian adults struggle with literacy. Some of those people are working Canadians. Literacy rates in the NWT aboriginal populations lag behind non-aboriginal people. For example, high school graduation rates for aboriginal residents is at a 42 percent low. Mr. Speaker, that is horrible.

Our knowledge society continues to need literacy skills to get basic jobs, Mr. Speaker. Those are important for working families. Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope Mr. Harper realizes these cuts were made in error and reinstates them. The Department of Education echoes many times about the necessity for adults to learn literacy skills to help them support their family, be productive members of the community, and to get employment ready because those big jobs are coming and you have to be able to read and write, Mr. Speaker. So we need entry-level opportunities for people who can read and write, but we’re taking them away again from those who need these opportunities the most.

As a reminder to the Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, people on income support, sorry…People who have low literacy skills are most likely to use income support, they have poor health, and they are constant users of our justice system. Mr. Speaker, I hope the Prime Minister wakes up and learns how to invest wisely. Yes, these programs cost a lot of money, but it’s a lot better than us putting them back into our jails because that costs a lot of money too. It costs a lot of money to fund hospitals with people who have poor health, again because they have poor literacy skills.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. The point I’m getting at is, we have to invest wisely, Mr. Speaker. Literacy funding in the NWT, in the words of the NWT Literacy Council, was cut by approximately $600,000 and that affects basic education at the local level, Mr. Speaker. It affects Aurora College, it affects all working families in the NWT.

In closing Mr. Speaker, the national or federal literacy program cannot replace local learning. That’s where literacy programs need to be delivered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause