Debates of October 18, 2013 (day 34)
MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON SAHTU REGION EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING READINESS
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a song titled “These Boots are Made for Walking.” However, I won’t do that song here.
---Laughter
The Sahtu will be idle no more. We want to work. We want to build our region. As I mentioned yesterday, the Sahtu is on the verge of making real and solid contributions to the North. We will do it and you can help, Mr. Speaker, and the Legislative Assembly can help. You can even give us a hand at building the North.
As I stated yesterday, 35 percent of families are headed by single parents in Deline. There are 26 percent of people in Colville Lake living in a house with six or more people. Fort Good Hope has 27 percent of families headed by single parents, 18 percent in Norman Wells, and 32 percent in Tulita. We have single families who are working. They need to have proper infrastructure such as daycare homes and training provided for them. Forty-two percent of people are working in Deline, 44 percent in Colville Lake.
Our people are ready to work, as I stated earlier. We need to set up some training institutes for the people in the Sahtu. Our dollar in the Sahtu doesn’t go quite as far as the dollar in Yellowknife. A hundred dollar bill doesn’t stretch as far as it does in the southern communities.
We want to work. I believe my people are ready to work if we create the opportunities for them. I call on this government to open up an investment treasure chest, invest in the Sahtu, invest in them now.
I will have further questions for the Minister later on in the Assembly. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.