Debates of October 25, 2006 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, in 2005, Alberta announced the creation of the Alberta Centennial Scholarship Program, which created 325 annual scholarships across Canada, valued at $2,005 each starting in the 2006-07 school year.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that 25 scholarships have been made available for distribution in the Northwest Territories for individuals pursuing post-secondary education. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment will award these scholarships to students pursuing training in the area of skilled trades and occupations. We will announce the first round of award winners in February 2007.

Scholarships will be awarded to candidates who:

are NWT residents;

have recently completed an educational program, for example, high school or pre-employment program;

demonstrate that they are continuing their formal education by pursuing or attending training in a trade or occupation; and,

priority will be given to women in trades.

Applications for these scholarships will be available through the student financial assistance section of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Alberta government has included the Northwest Territories in the Centennial Scholarship Program and I have thanked the Alberta Minister of Education for making these awards available to our students. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has had many years of partnership with Alberta Education and these scholarships are a further testament to that close relationship. Mr. Speaker, through this statement today, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in thanking Alberta for their support that will be used to help our students pursue studies in the high needs area of trades and occupations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause