Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to welcome a group of students from the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Rae-Edzo...
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who, with their teacher, Mr. Gerry Moran and their two guidance counsellors toured the Legislative Assembly this morning and are currently in the gallery watching the proceedings of the House.
Madam Speaker, the North Slave region has begun negotiations to settle regional land claims which involve development of self-government institutions. We are developing strategies to develop long-term employment and better social economic conditions through our regional industrial strategy. What this process really involves is a commitment to bring about a greater degree of political and economic self-reliance for the Dogrib people. This is a very challenging situation, and that is why it is so important for our young people to complete school and thereby prepare themselves with reading, writing and mathematical skills required to effectively participate in the challenges ahead. If our young people do not complete school, how can we ever hope to manage and control our own affairs? We will continue to rely on educated people from southern Canada.
Madam Speaker, this is the challenge we face at home. However, Madam Speaker, if we look outside our region to southern Canada and even further to the rest of the world, it is clear that a much higher percentage of the new jobs being created in a more competitive, technology-driven economy require higher education and skill levels than was previously the case. Many of the unskilled and semi-skilled jobs in manufacturing and the resource sector have been disappearing at a rapid rate over the past two decades. This concerns me very much, Madam Speaker. What these trends suggest is that our aboriginal labour force, with its generally low education levels, will be particularly disadvantaged in the new global economy.
Madam Speaker, in the context of our adult population who has dropped out of school, we have a tremendous challenge ahead from the perspective of upgrading and training. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.