Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the young people that are looking for work today, employment in small communities, specifically the small community employment program centre administered by ECE. Mr. Speaker, as most people know by now, employment rates in NWT small communities are very low. The small communities rely on short-term, and casual, and project-based employment in order to provide for their families. The small community employment program has $1.2 million and that will help put people to work on various projects based in the communities. Mr. Speaker, the small community employment program is very important to our communities. With this program, the communities can apply for various pots of money that can also be used to create short-term jobs in the communities. Mr. Speaker, a small communities employment program can be used on housing projects, community works, road construction, to mention a few where this funding can be utilized. With a small community employment program, people are able to get off income support program during the time that they are working, and if the project provides them with enough weeks, they can even come off the income support program for a longer period or even permanently. That of course would be dependent upon their eligibility for the federal employment insurance payments or if their short-term work leads to a permanent job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later, I will have questions for the Minister of ECE on this matter. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
