For years I have listened to people tell us about the social problems in our society. We hear it in the House all the time --alcoholism, suicide, family violence. To me, these problems stem from a sense of hopelessness that is borne out from a lack of opportunity to advance forward. Education is the key that will open the door to opportunity. Without it the North will be forever saddled with the high costs of social programs and communities afflicted with despair.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have the answers to the problems I have raised today, but I do know there has to be a comprehensive long-term plan to solve these problems, and frankly, to date I have not seen it. You can be assured in this House that I will be asking the Minister of Education what his department's plan is to improve the education system in the NWT, especially the number of students graduating from our educational program. Thank you.

--Applause