Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I will talk about the government's program for finding summer jobs for senior high school students and post-secondary students. As Members recall, last year this particular program was clouded by controversy and accusations. I don't think anyone in this House wants that to happen again this year.
I note, Mr. Speaker, that the federal government has revamped their whole approach regarding summer student job creation. There was a news bulletin that came out and the federal government has put together a six-point program, which includes: summer career placements; summer youth service Canada, where kids do municipal work across the country; student business loans for young entrepreneurs to get interest-free loans; a native internship program; and, partners at promoting summer employment, and this is a partnership between businesses and the government to hire students and the Canadian Employment Centre.
Mr. Speaker, last year, even though it was a controversial year, the GNWT hired 785 students, which was 117 more students than the year before. This is the best record, I am sure, in the country for both aboriginal and non-aboriginal students for governments finding them jobs. So that we don't have this kind of controversy again, we have to look at some imagination in our approach in the summer that is coming up.
First of all, we should dovetail our program with that of the federal government, taking advantage of the programs they have. I also think a certain number of positions should be reserved for kids who excel in class. For instance, anyone with over an 85 per cent average in their university year or at high school is guaranteed a job with the government.
There are two obvious areas, Mr. Speaker, where we could use summer students. One is in the area of the environment. Members will recall a very successful program that the Metis Nation sponsored last year where a group of students went out for a number of weeks to clean up areas around Great Slave Lake.
Mr. Speaker, my time is up. I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.