Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke about a new North, a prosperous North, a united North; a North that would be leading not only Canada, but also the world in many areas. Well, Mr. Speaker, this cannot be accomplished if we do not have the adequate skilled workforce and journeyman tradespeople.

In my recent tour of the constituency I was made aware that we do not have an adequate succession plan to replace our skilled workforce and tradespeople. Once our government was a model of training by providing each journeyman tradesman with an apprentice. For the last 12 years, Mr. Speaker, some trades have not had an apprentice. That’s three skilled workers that this North does not have, and times that by the many missed opportunities and you get what we have today; a workforce that simply cannot keep up to the demand for trades and skilled workers.

I ask why, during an unprecedented economic growth and increasing national shortage of skilled workers, is this government continuing with policies that do not support this sector and support our own needs for journeymen and skilled trades.

It takes years of training, apprenticeship and commitment to have a skilled workforce. This lack of action to replace an aged and retired workforce will have long-term impacts directly on our government. I am encouraged to see our youth actively pursuing their careers and skills and we, as a government, must support them. Education and technical skills is very critical to progressive development and capacity building not only in the North, but also all over Canada. We must take issues such as worker shortage seriously or we will continue to see our youth go south for opportunities.

Investing in programs such as apprenticeship benefit our territory in several ways, but, most importantly, the skilled workforce for our future. We have all been hearing that in Fort McMurray, not so far away, people are receiving $10,000 to $20,000 signing bonuses just for an apprenticeship. As the Northwest Territories economy and natural resource activities increase, training opportunities must be available for all the residents through our government, Mr. Speaker. I will be asking questions regarding this issue at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho.

---Applause