Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank you for your indulgence and flexibility. Twice today with shirts and now with this, thank you.
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Yellowknife North has spoken in this House about the need for NWT residents to be able to take advantage of the many opportunities in the mining industry. Just yesterday he talked about the need for a mining institute.
Mr. Speaker, I agree whole heartedly. We do need a way to train northerners for the jobs mining can provide. I also think we should be providing the training for a full range of opportunities in the natural resources sector. Not just mining, but also oil and gas. Is there a need for brand new buildings to provide this training? No. As the government of a territory, we do not need to build new infrastructure for natural resource training. Industry representatives have said what is important is not a fancy facility. What is important is to develop a centre of knowledge and learning here in the North.
We have the administrative organization in place to provide this training already through Aurora College. Thebacha campus with the support of existing government infrastructure in Fort Smith could easily accommodate a mine training program. Aurora Campus in Inuvik is similarly ready to provide part of the program directed to oil and gas exploration. Training can be delivered in other communities from these two bases of operation.
Mr. Speaker, on November 7, we are doing something concrete in order to try to establish programs northerners need. On that day, I will be co-hosting along with Aurora College a mine training symposium in Fort Smith. Representatives from our colleges, the mining industry and other interested people will be meeting to lay the plans to make the natural resources department of Aurora College a reality.
Mr. Speaker, I hope as a result of this symposium to which a number of MLAs and ministers have been invited, that I hope the result of this symposium, the Minister of Culture, Education and Employment will be in this House early in the new year, announcing the establishment of the Aurora College Natural Resources Program. Thank you.