Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services and the Housing Corporation. Madam Speaker, yesterday the honourable Member, my colleague from Kitikmeot, talked about the suicide attempts in Coppermine and throughout his jurisdiction. This afternoon, Minister Nerysoo talked about the proposed federal reform program which emphasizes training, jobs and best use of available money.
From time to time, we hear politicians in this particular system here talking about problems with alcohol, high unemployment rates, lack of training, high dependency on social assistance and so on. One of the ways I, and the people in the constituency I represent, feel may help eliminate some of the problems we see is by increasing employment in the communities. One of the ways, Madam Speaker, to increase employment in the communities is to use all the available businesses in the community for specific work projects in the community; use of local labour and local businesses and so on.
My question to the honourable Minister is, Madam Speaker, would the Minister seriously consider increasing local participation in the contracts tendered by this government? Thank you.