Mr. Speaker, in the Sahtu region we have many young people under the age of 25 years old. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, 45 percent of the entire population of the Sahtu is under 25 years old. That’s an amazing fact, Mr. Speaker.
We need to develop and implement a solid plan for training so that our young people get the best training for the future. Our young people are eagerly waiting to contribute to our communities and to the North. Many young people are making their best efforts to participate in upgrading and employment training programs, and we need to have a regional training centre called the Sahtu Tech. We’re at the very edge of opening the North Slave agenda to mega projects such as the Mackenzie Gas Project and the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
What are we waiting for, Mr. Speaker? Let’s get those training programs in place for our young people so that in a year or so we can see a decrease in the unemployment rate and an increase in the skill building and the trades development. The best investment to our young people is to give them the tools to help themselves.
Our children look up and follow the examples of their parents, brothers and sisters, and family members. As leaders, we want to make sure that the resources are in place and we can be sure that our young people will work hard with those resources and put them to good use. We can help them to overcome life’s challenges and know that nothing can stand in their way if they are determined. We learned that kind of attitude from our parents and elders and it’s time to pass that along to the next generation of emerging leaders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
